Insulation for houses project secures Limerick students a place in the SciFest final

SciFest national finalists Musa Njue and Cian Murphy from Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, with their teacher Edel Farrell and CEO of SciFest, Sheila Porter

placeholder image — SciFest national finalists Musa Njue and Cian Murphy from Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, with their teacher Edel Farrell and CEO of SciFest, Sheila Porter

The SciFest national final will take place on November 29 at Dublin's Marino Conference Centre

TWO students from Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom, have secured their place in the SciFest national finals later this month.

Fourth-year students, Musa Njue and Cian Murphy have been selected to showcase their scientific research focused on finding the best insulation for housing in Ireland.

Their project was selected from over 100 projects exhibited at the SciFest regional finals in TUS Moylish earlier this year, winning the students both the prestigious EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award and a place in the national final.

Now, they will 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 students who research and design projects to address challenges posed by climate or energy.

Wishing the students the best of luck for the national finals Claire Wallace, Interim Head of Strategy and Sustainability with EirGrid, said, “As future leaders and innovators, students bring fresh ideas and drive to create change for a more sustainable future. The future of energy production will rely heavily on innovative approaches to renewable sources, and it is students like this who are driving that change.

“I wish the very best of luck to Musa and Cian at the SciFest finals. Through our partnership with SciFest, EirGrid is proud to support the promotion of STEM subjects and encourage young people to let their voices be heard.”

The SciFest national final will take place on Friday, November 29 at the Marino Conference Centre on Griffith Avenue, Dublin.