Niamh Kearns and Isobel Grimes- Merrigan from Loreto St Michael’s School in Navan: Finalists in the SciFest National Final 2024.

Scifest final for Navan students

Two students from Navan have secured a place in the SciFest National Finals in Dublin, following their impressive scientific research on investigating crystals effects for energy production.

Representing Loreto St Michael’s School in Navan, fourth year students, Niamh Kearns and Isobel Grimes- Merrigan impressed judges at the SciFest@College regional finals at TU Dublin Blanchardstown earlier this year, winning them the prestigious EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award and a place in the national final on 29th November.

They will now compete against 60 other students from 31 schools nationwide in the national finals for a chance to represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

Currently in its 19th year, the SciFest programme is open to second-level students, with the aim of promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education and providing a platform for students to present and display their scientific projects.

EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, partnered with SciFest to develop the EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award which celebrates second level students who research and design projects to address challenges posed by climate or energy focused issues.

The SciFest National Final 2024 will take place on Friday 29th November at the Marino Conference Centre on Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9.