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The “Maths Behind Google Maps” adds up to a winning formula at SciFest@LIT 2019 for two Secondary School Students

Pictured at SciFest@LIT2019, which was hosted by the Faculty of Applied Science Engineering and Technology at LIT, are SciFest@LIT 2019 Best Project Award winners, Niamh McMahon and Lara Mellett, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon Co. Clare. Picture: Alan Place 

The “Maths Behind Google Maps” adds up to a winning formula at SciFest@LIT 2019 for two Secondary School Students

Two Secondary School Students mapped out the course to victory at this year’s SciFest@LIT with their project “The Maths Behind Google Maps”. Niamh McMahon and Lara Mellet from Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon beat off stiff competition from more than 300 students who exhibited 120 projects at SciFest@LIT 2019, to secure the coveted top prize – the SFI Best Project Award.

The second level students will now go on to participate in the SciFest National Final where they will compete for the opportunity to represent Ireland at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Anaheim, California in May 2020.


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As one of the 16 regional venues hosting a SciFest STEM fair, SciFest@LIT saw more than 300 students from schools all over the region exhibit their projects at Limerick Institute of Technology and put their knowledge of STEM to the test.  

SciFest@LIT 2019

Pictured at SciFest@LIT 2019 was Sara Oliszewska, Crescent Comprehensive. Picture: Alan Place.

The students were welcomed to the fair by LIT President Vincent Cunnane and Dean of Faculty Maria Kyne, while 2018 All-Ireland Hurling Winner Séamus Hickey formally opened the STEM exhibit.  

SciFest@LIT co-ordinator Dr Pauline Ryan paid tribute to all of the participating students, “Every year I am so impressed by the high standard of research that goes into the entries, and this year was no different. The quality of the research being done by the second-level students from across the region highlights the passion the students have for science, technology, engineering and maths. We are so proud to take part in SciFest, as it not only encourages the students to learn more about STEM but is all-inclusive.”

SciFest is an all-inclusive, all-island science initiative which fosters active, collaborative and inquiry-based learning among second-level students. SciFest is funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Intel, Boston Scientific and Specsavers. 

Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO said, “As we mark the twelfth anniversary of SciFest, more than 65,000 students have participated in the programme to date and we are sure that 2019 will be another stellar year for projects in science, technology, engineering and maths. SciFest gives students an excellent opportunity to develop their interest in STEM and inquiry-based approaches to learning while developing their creative and problem-solving skills and learning to work in a team.”

This year sees the introduction of an exciting new award, the Specsavers Making a Difference Award. A further new award this year is the Institute of Physics in Ireland award for the best Physics project. Among the other awards on offer are the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award and the Intel Technology Award.

For more information on LIT, go here.

For more stories on LIT, go here.

For more information on SciFest, go here

For more information on Science Foundation Ireland, go here

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.