SciFest 2025 at TU Dublin
TU Dublin recently hosted SciFest@College 2025 across its Tallaght and Grangegorman campuses, welcoming hundreds of Ireland's brightest young scientific minds in a vibrant celebration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. With over 225 student projects showcased and dozens of expert judges, speakers, and volunteers, this year's event was particularly special as it marked almost 20 years of SciFest on the Tallaght Campus.
SciFest, now Ireland's largest second-level STEM fair programme, began on the Tallaght Campus in 2006. Since then, it has grown into a national platform that inspires thousands of students each year to explore, question, and innovate. On Thursday, 01 May, the campus came alive with energy as over 300 students presented more than 150 projects.
A highlight of the day was the return of Édáin Martin, the very first SciFest winner from 2006. Édáin spoke with students about her journey over the past two decades, highlighting the long-term impact of early engagement with science and innovation.
In addition to the student exhibitions, attendees interacted with TU Dublin scientists Kevin Nolan and Dr John Power, gaining valuable insight into the possibilities of a future in STEM. As always, the event's success was made possible by the generous support of staff, teachers, mentors, judges, industry sponsors, and volunteers.
The prestigious Best Project Award in Tallaght went to Addison Carey from Celbridge Community School for her project:
"Lattice-based Cryptography: A Python Approach to the Shortest Vector Problem."
Addison with Édáin Martin and Ms Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO.
Meanwhile, on Friday, 02 May, TU Dublin's Grangegorman Campus hosted its SciFest@College event. Students from 14 secondary schools presented 75 projects, judged by 50 academic and industry professionals.
The Best Project Award was presented to Keelin O'Donovan from Loreto High School for her innovative project:
"Mould Metro: Redesigning Ireland's Rail Network Using Slime Mould."
Best Project Winner - Keelin O'Donovan, Loreto High School, with TU Dublin Registrar Dr Mary Meaney and Mr George Porter, SciFest
Throughout the day, students engaged in lively STEM talks delivered by Dr. John Butler, Dr. Daniel McCartney, Dr. James Walshe, and PhD student Megan Joyce. Dr Ekene Umego led a variety of interactive "edutainment" activities during lunch, including climate workshops, food science demonstrations, digital installations, and hands-on experiments like "Make Ice Cream in a Bag."
Winners from each regional SciFest@College fair will progress to the national final in November. Top contenders will earn the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the USA and attend the Long Night of Science in Berlin.
SciFest is supported by the Department of Education, Research Ireland, Intel Ireland, and Boston Scientific. TU Dublin is honoured to be part of this transformative initiative that continues to ignite scientific curiosity in Ireland's next generation of innovators.