Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently welcomed students from across the North Leinster and South Ulster region to take part in the SciFest@DkIT 2025 which took place on campus. Over 300 students from 26 schools across North Leinster and South Ulster were put through their paces by the judging panel to determine who would become the prize winners. Categories included the Dawn Meats Agricultural Science Award, SciFest Maths in Science Award and Business Excellence Institute Award. 145 innovative projects were on display throughout the competition.

SciFest is a national event which aims to encourage a love of science and provide an opportunity for students to display their scientific discoveries. The event includes an exhibition and competition of projects produced by second-level students. DkIT has been delighted to host the North Leinster/South Ulster regional finals for the past ten years with the high calibre of entries growing continuously each year. Students competing in the event can complete projects from a broad span of areas including physical sciences, computer science, social sciences, technology/engineering and health sciences.

Atish Anandan Srinivasan from St Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda was announced as the winner of the SciFest Best Project Award for his project entitled EEG based BCI. Athish was also winner of the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award. His project explored whether it’s possible to create a more affordable EEG (electroencephalogram) kit that can still be used effectively for brain-computer interface (BCI) applications and hardware control and investigated how the performance of his kit compared to scientific and professional EEG devices.

As the winner of this award, Atish will participate in the SciFest National Final Competition in November in Dublin to compete for the SciFest STEM Champion 2025 Award. The winner of the STEM Champion Award will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in America in May 2026.

Second Prize for the Runner-up Best Project Award was presented to Krysztof Kazimierczak from Colaiste Dun an Rí, Co. Cavan for his project Hydrelesis. Krystof was also awarded the SciFest Physics Award. His project addressed the critical lack of clean and safe drinking water in sub-Saharan and tropical regions, aiming to develop a solution that targets the root of the problem and delivers clean, drinkable water to millions in need.

Beyond the first prize, Drogheda was well represented. In addition to the prizes won by Atish Anandan Srinivasan, there were two additional prize winners from St Oliver’s Community College. The Intel Technology Award was presented to Mason Carroll for his project, The Consciousness Paradox: Simulating Self-Awareness in AI and the Question of Reality, while Andra Barlescu won the SciFest Maths in Science Award for her project How Sleep Impacts Academic Performance! Saint Mary’s Diocesan School also claimed two prizes. The Mallinckrodt STEM Excellence Award was presented to Rory O’Grainne, Fergus Nolan, Conor Dolan for their project SleepBoosting, while students Cathal Minogue, Destiny Ikeda, Seán O'Shea claimed the SciFest Chemistry Student Award for their project What teas and sugar does a Kombucha Biofilm prefer? Finn Blackmore and Anthony Becton from Laytown and Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School accepted the SciFest Communications Award for their project How do the different types of music affect the heart rate.

Lewis Mohan from Breifne College joined Colaiste Dun an Rí’s Krysztof Kazimierczak among the Cavan prize winners. His project, pHishy Waters: How Acidic Gases Are Changing Our Seas received the Eirgrid Cleaner Climate Award.

The Business Excellence Institute Award was presented to students Alex Albrecht, Dylan Loughran and Ronan Kenny from St Mary’s College, Dundalk for their project Are natural cleaning products effective at removing stains compared to branded products?

Hollie McCabe and Adelija Petrauskaite from Colaiste na Mí in Navan were presented with the Regeneron Life Sciences Award for their project Speechumpy Communication Development Game.

Monaghan students took home two awards. The Dawn Meats Agricultural Science Award was presented to Castleblayney College students Aoibhín Mc Donald, Rhiannon Mc Mahon and Zyon Muringayi for their project Bird Flu - Should we be Worried or Wing it? Largy College student Isabell-Ita O’ Reilly’s project A teenager’s guide to understanding Dementia – Made with love also received the Irish Science Teachers’ Association Award.

The ESERO Discover Space Student Award was presented to Katelyn Dunne from Loreto College, Mullingar for her Project How to develop the most sustainable planetary rover for Mars.

The event was made possible by sponsors including; Intel, Boston Scientific, EirGrid, Mallinckrodt, The Department of Education, Dawn Meats and Regeneron Life Sciences.

Presenters of the SciFest awards included; George Porter, CFO of SciFest; Ciara O’Shea, member of DkIT’s Executive Board; Darragh O’Connor, Dawn Meats; Ronan Keane, Regeneron; Grainne Duffy, EirGrid and Yann Ni Yee, Boston Scientific.

SciFest@DkIT co-ordinator Dr Moira Maguire, Head of School of Health & Science, DkIT said:

“SciFest is always one of our calendar highlights at DkIT and the scope of student innovation each year never ceases to amaze us. It is fantastic to see the numbers growing year on year and the increasing interest our second level students have across all areas of the sciences. A huge congratulations to all who took part, and to the teachers and mentors for all of their support and encouragement throughout the competition process.“

In addition to the SciFest prizes, a number of DkIT prizes were also awarded across Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories. These included awards for Life Science Projects and Physical Science or Technology Projects.

DkIT Category Award Winners

Senior Category

Best Senior Life Sciences Project- St Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda- Deizija sinta zaharevska & Jakub kopczak. Project Name: Can waste fish tank water be used as an alternative to the chemical fertiliser urea?

Runner-up Senior Life Sciences Project - St Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda- Andra Barlescu. Project Name: How Sleep Impacts Academic Performance!

Best Senior Physical Science or Technology Project – Breifne College, Cavan- Ciara Neary. Project Name: Eco-Glow Bin

Intermediate Category

Best Intermediate Life Sciences Project - Eureka Secondary School, Kells- Danu McGann, Eloise Finucane & Bronwyn Corcoran.  Project Name: Neuro-Logic: How Accommodating are Accommodations?

Runner-up Intermediate Life Sciences Project – Dundalk Grammar School- Eoin Larkin & Jack Wang. Project name: Green Means Go! - A front of package traffic light labelling system designed to help consumers make sustainable choices.

Best Intermediate Physical Science or Technology Project - Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda -Clodagh Gaynor & Noelle Ndubi. Project Name: PlantPulse - Optimising Plant Health

Junior Category

Best Junior Physical Sciences or Technology Project – Largy College, Clones- Danielius Gavelis. Project Name: The MMRV (Monaghan Mini Rescue Vehicle)

Runner-up Junior Physical Sciences or Technology Project - St Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk- Dearbhla Leavy. Project Name: An Investigation into the effect of Arm Strength and Core Strength on the ability to perform a Handstand successfully.

Best Junior Life Sciences Project– St Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill, Co Cavan - Sarah Henshaw & Judith Deering. Project Name: Exploring Snus Use and Its Impact: An Investigation into the Prevalence and Effects of Nicotine Pouch Use Among Students in our school.

To find out more about SciFest visit: SciFest