Getting Started - The Important Stuff

Guidelines

  1. The projects are to be completed either in teams (with a maximum of four students) or alternatively projects can be completed by individuals.
  2. The competition is open to 4th, 5th, and 6th class students.
  3. 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.
  4. Agar plates containing micro-organisms cannot be used.
  5. Each projects is required to have a project book. Any visual elements that support the project can be incorporated into this project book.
  6. Click here for Project book guidelines.
  7. Click here for Project book cover.

Categories

The idea of the projects is to encourage students to work scientifically and learn by investigating. Students should work as scientists as they investigate and explore their physical and natural surroundings. They should apply skills of enquiry during this investigative work:

  1. Observing
  2. Asking questions
  3. Suggesting
  4. Explanations
  5. Predicting outcomes
  6. Planning investigations
  7. Experiments to test ideas and drawing conclusions

Designing and making is another aspect of the project development and gives students the opportunity to apply scientific ideas to everyday situations and problems. Students are encouraged to explore, plan, and make models and functional objects in order to solve practical problems.

The key elements of Working Scientifically and Designing and Making should be refined within one of four project categories:

Living Things

1. Plant and Animal Life
2. Human Life

Energy and Forces

1. Light
2. Sound
3. Heat
4. Magnetism and Electricity
5. Forces

Materials

1. Properties and Characteristics of Materials
2. Materials and Change

Environmental Awareness and Care

1. Science and the Environment
2. Caring of my locality

Show more Show less

Judging Process

Judging information will be provided to schools in September when the competition begins.

The Prizes

There are a number of fantastic prizes available to participating schools: 

  1. The grand prize includes €1000 for the school of the winning project.
  2. Every school taking part receives a commemorative plaque.
  3. Every student taking part receives a Mini Scientist badge and certificate.