SciFest 2010
SciFest will take place in fourteen Institutes of Technology in April/May 2010. Details will be posted on the Contacts page of the website as they become available.

Guidelines for Entrants

Who Can Enter the Competition?
All students who are attending a second-level school in the catchment area of the Institute of Technology are eligible to enter. Each student may enter only one project but a school may enter as many projects as they wish. Entries will be judged in the following categories:

Physical Sciences
This category includes projects in physics, chemistry, mathematics, meteorology, geophysics, astronomy, etc.                    

Biological Sciences  
This category includes projects in botany, agriculture, horticulture, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, food science, environmental projects, psychology, etc.

Technology
This category includes projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufactur­ing and practical uses - civil, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, sound, automotive, robotics; also, applications of technology, innovative developments of existing problems, etc.

* Discover Sensors Award
This award is open to projects in any area of Science or Technology where the investigation involves substantial use of one or more digital sensors.

Entry Date
The closing date for receipt of entry forms is Friday 12 March 2010. There is no late entry date.

NOTE:

1. A project may be entered in only one SciFest in any given year.
2. Students whose projects have been accepted for exhibition and who subsequently find that they are unable to complete their project should inform the organisers of their intention to withdraw as soon as possible.

BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BT YSTE)
Students awarded any of the prizes listed below in the BT YSTE in 2009 or 2010 cannot enter the same project in SciFest 2010. However, prizewinners from YSTE 2009 are welcome to exhibit at SciFest but their projects will not be included in the judging or receive prizes.

Students who exhibit at the BT YSTE 2010 but who do not receive any of the awards listed are welcome to enter their project in SciFest 2010. HOWEVER, SUCH STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE CARRIED OUT SOME ADDITIONAL WORK ON THEIR PROJECT BEFORE ENTERING IT IN SCIFEST.

Judging
The judges' decision in all matters relating to the award of prizes will be final. The judges reserve the right to change the entry classification of a project where appropriate or to withhold awards in the event of projects not reaching a satisfactory standard.

Live Animals
Students whose projects involve studies of live animals must ensure that such studies are carried out in conformity with the statutory regulations. Copies of the regulations are available from the Department of Health and Children, Hawkins House, Dublin 2.

Personal Belongings
SciFest will not accept responsibility for damage to, or loss of, projects or personal belongings. Exhibitors are advised to remove valuable equipment from unattended stands. Projects are the property of the exhibitors but may be used by SciFest for exhibition or publication. If contestants have an entry that can be used commercially and for which they seek patents they are recommended to have it registered before the exhibition. Visit: www.patentsoffice.ie for more information on this.

School Visits to SciFest Exhibitions
The majority of Institutes of Technology are unable to accommodate school visits during SciFest exhibitions so please check with the local organisers to avoid disappointment.

Supervision of Participating Students
Participating students must be accompanied by at least one teacher. Students are expected to attend talks and participate in all activities organised for them on the day by the Institute of Technology.

Use of Photographs
By giving consent to use of photographs (see entry form page 1) a parent/guardian grants to INTEL Corporation (“INTEL”), or anyone authorized by INTEL, the irrevocable right to use any photograph taken of their child while he/she is participating in SciFest. Such photographs may be used on the SciFest website and in related marketing materials, without media, time, use or geographic limitation.  It is understood that INTEL is not obligated to use the photograph in any way.

Safety

1. Agar plates containing micro-organisms will not be allowed into the exhibition hall.
2. Exhibitors will not be permitted to have chemicals or naked flames on their stand during     the exhibition.
3. No sharp objects such as syringes or needles will be permitted in the exhibition hall.
4. Exhibitors should behave responsibly and remain at their stands to speak to the judges and visiting public.