ReelLIFE SCIENCE is a novel science video competition for Irish primary and secondary schools, which aims to promote Science in the classroom and beyond, by inviting students to produce a short video communicating a scientific topic in an engaging and entertaining way.
Launched on Monday August 29th 2016, and supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover programme and the CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, ReelLIFE SCIENCE will award €3000 in prizes directly to the winning schools! The makers of the best video at primary and secondary school level will each receive €1000, to be spent on their science programme, while second and third-placed entries at each level will receive €300 and €200, respectively.
Winners will also be invited to attend the Galway Science and Technology Festival on Sunday November 27th in NUI Galway, to receive their prizes and certificates, and to see their videos on display to the general public.
Primary School Topics
- The Heart
- Life in Space
- Science and Me
- Our Many Senses
- The Science of Farming
Secondary School Topics
- The Brain
- Myths Busted!
- How Things Work
- Irish Science Heroes
- Everyday Biotechnology
Video submissions are invited from Irish primary and secondary schools before the closing date of Friday October 14th, with winners announced on November 14th during Science Week 2016 . Winning videos will be selected by a panel of very Special Guest Judges, University College London neuroscientist and Royal Society Fellow Prof. Eleanor Maguire, BT Young Scientist & Technologists of the Year 2016, Maria Louise Fufezan and Diana Bura from Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, and broadcaster and science communication enthusiast Rick O’Shea who said “The competition is just such a brilliant, creative and fun idea I was delighted to be asked to judge after I saw last year’s entries! This isn’t going to be an easy task…”
The competition was conceived by Dr. Enda O’Connell (Director) and, with the support of a team of NUI Galway Science communicators including Cell EXPLORERS, was launched in 2013. Since then, more than 5,000 primary and secondary school students, from almost 200 schools around Ireland, have taken part.
The best videos from 2013 – 2015 can be seen in our Video Library, and these have already been viewed more than 60,000 times in over 100 countries.
When asked what they enjoyed about ReelLIFE SCIENCE, previous participants have told us:
- “I got to use my talent/hobby. And, I learned a lot of Science stuff!!!”
- “Our TY students all made videos and we felt the project contributed to skill development and pupil enjoyment of science. We had a mini-viewing of the class videos at the school and it was great fun. The TY co-ordinator commented afterward on how proud the students themselves were of their videos – it was lovely to see. It was a great opportunity for students who can struggle with literacy in conventional projects to produce something they were proud to show to others.”
- “The sheer joy the children have in making a documentary. Announcing that we were going to be entering the competition again and the reaction it got – wonderful moments. It harnesses enthusiasm wonderfully. I hope it continues for many years to come even if we never win a prize again. From a teacher’s perspective, it has brought joy – and no little glory – to many children here in our school.”
Check out our Facebook page, Twitter feed and our series of Research Articles for some inspiration when selecting your topic, or if you just want to read some interesting Science! You’ll also be able to keep up to date with the competition and to see the videos once the competition has ended.
You can find more information about making and submitting your video on our Teachers’ Tips page and don’t forget to check out our FAQs, Timeline and Terms and Conditions. When you are ready to submit your video, please do so via our Application Form.
ReelLIFE SCIENCE 
My class enters and I was in the video