From planets to penicillin and artificial intelligence to vaping, short science videos made by young Irish filmmakers have been celebrated at the 11th Annual ReelLIFE SCIENCE Awards in University of Galway.
The event took place on Sunday November 12 as part of Science Week 2023 and the 26th Galway Science and Technology Festival.
More than 400 short science films were entered into the competition created by 2,600 young science enthusiasts in 131 schools and youth groups taking part across the island of Ireland.
Winning videos were selected by a panel of guest judges including science communicator and engineer Dr Niamh Shaw; RTÉJr TV presenter and scientist Mark ‘The Science Guy’ Langtry; and the 2023 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition winners, Liam Carew and Shane O’Connor.
Addressing the finalists at the event via video message, competition judge Dr. Niamh Shaw said, “I have every faith that we have a very healthy future ahead of us because we have a country full of really great science explainers. Never lose that passion that you have to share how you understand science and how you see the world.”
The ReelLIFE SCIENCE programme challenges young people in schools and youth groups across the island of Ireland to engage with science and technology while developing their communication and digital skills, by producing short educational videos for the public.
Since being launched in 2013 by a team of scientists from the University of Galway College of Science and Engineering, this challenge has been met by over 26,000 young people, supported by teachers and staff in 750 schools and youth groups.
ReelLIFE SCIENCE Founding Director Dr Enda O’Connell said, “congratulations to all the winners today, but also to every young person who demonstrated their passion for science and science communication by taking part in ReelLIFE SCIENCE this year. A special word of thanks to all the teachers and youth workers who nurture this passion, and through these videos, engage, inform and inspire the public.”
ReelLIFE SCIENCE is supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover Programme, University of Galway’s College of Science and Engineering, the CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway, the Cell EXPLORERS programme, and Foróige.
Source: Science Foundation Ireland
