TCD Pitch Drop Experiment for Schools

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In Marino Conference Centre on Friday 6th November 48 second-level students from all over Ireland will compete for a number of prestigious awards at the SciFest 2015 National Final.

The awards include:

* SciFest 2015 Grand Award. 
Trophy and an all-expenses-paid trip for the student(s) to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona in May 2016. Sponsored by SFI Discover and Intel Ireland.

* Intel Teacher of Excellence Award. 
Trophy and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona in May 2016 for the mentor of the Grand Award winner(s). Sponsored by Intel Ireland.

* Berlin Long Night of Science Award. 
Trophy and an all-expenses-paid trip for the student(s) and their mentor to attend the Long Night of Science in Berlin in May 2016. Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

* SEAI INESPO Award. 
Trophy and an all-expenses-paid trip for the student(s) and their mentor to represent Ireland at the International Environment and Sustainability Project Olympiad (INESPO) in the Netherlands in May/June 2016. Sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

* Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award.
Engraved trophy and €500. Sponsored by Boston Scientific.

* IOTI Award.
Engraved trophy and €75. Sponsored by Institutes of Technology Ireland.

* ISTA Award.
Engraved trophy. Sponsored by the Irish Science Teachers’ Association.

*Spirit of SciFest Award.
Engraved trophy. Presented by SciFest Limited.

* Excellence in STEM Awards.
Engraved plaques. Sponsored by SFI Discover.

Thousands of students all over the world are expected to take part in the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 2015 global experiment. This year the theme is “Water: a global experiment with hydrogels.”

Students taking part are invited to explore the effects that hydrogels (a man-made product) have on the water cycle before sharing their results with other classes across the globe. Not only are all the activities engaging, they also support learning and curriculum. So why not get involved?

There are three distinct experiments, all of which have been designed so they can be carried out without specialist equipment and on a small budget:

• Experiment 1: How much water can a hydrogel hold?

• Experiment 2: How quickly can hydrogels absorb water? Does this ever change?

• Experiment 3: An open investigation into how water can be retrieved from a hydrogel

These experiments support students in exploring the question: are we wasting water by using hydrogels?

All the data collected from the above experiments should be uploaded onto the global experiment website. Once uploaded, all the collated data will be examined and analysed. This creates an opportunity to discuss the importance of repeating experiments. Students can also receive a certificate of achievement for taking part.

Be part of something huge: check out their website for full details on how to join this global experiment.

On Friday 9th November Adam Kelly, a fifth-year student from Skerries Community College was this afternoon named the overall winner at SciFest 2018, for his open…