COLAISTE Nano Nagle, Limerick is among a select number of schools represented in Teen-Turn’s SciFest 2020 on Saturday 12th December.
Teen-turn works with girls from all over the country offering hands-on STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) experience and encouraging girls to visualise themselves working in STEM. Teen-Turn focuses on providing opportunities in STEM for girls from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
Teen-Turn’s Project Squad, a 12 week after school programme has been running since September allowing girls to work with mentors from Accenture, Dell, MSD and others to develop a SciFest project. The goal is for these projects to progress in the SciFest national competition and to the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
This year 29 girls from across Ireland will compete and showcase the scientific work they have done over the past number of months. Many of these girls would not have had the opportunity to develop their STEM skills before getting involved with Teen-Turn and they have discovered a new and exciting talent.
An app that teaches Irish sign language on the go, a 3D printed watch to help elderly people take their medication and an app to help those who are not fluent in English to fill out government forms, are just three of the amazing projects entered in this year’s Teen-Turn SciFest which will take place on Saturday 12th December.
SciFest judge and Teen-Turn Trustee, Aoife Carragher said
“As a judge, I have been blown away by the standard of entries at Teen-Turn’s SciFest. It is inspiring to see the ideas that girls from all communities and backgrounds can develop with the right support and encouragement. I am sure that this year’s entrants will not disappoint.”
Nicole Ryan, Teen-Turn spokesperson added “2020 has been a very strange year for us all, but especially for young people. Taking part in Project Squad and working on Teen-Turn SciFest projects has been brilliant for the girls, many of whom have used Covid as inspiration for their projects.”
“This year’s SciFest is completely online and will take place on Saturday 12th December. Participants will have a virtual booth where they can display their work and where they will meet the judges to discuss their projects.”
