Coláiste Ghobnait wins top science prize
A rap video about diabetes, titled “Céard é Diaibéiteas,” earned students from Coláiste Ghobnait in Inis Oírr the first-place prize in the post-primary category at the ReelLife Science Awards. The competition, held at the University of Galway, featured more than 200 entries from 1,000 students across Ireland. The winning video was produced by eight second and third-year students. Guided by teacher Rebecca Ní Chríocháin, the group secured a €1,000 prize for their video rapping about the different types of diabetes through the Irish language.
Creative approaches to science communication
The winning entry opens with a student offering sweets to a friend, who declines citing the need to manage blood sugar levels. This interaction prompts the question “Diaibéiteas – céard é sin?” leading into a rap performance where classmates appear through classroom windows with boomboxes to deliver an educational lesson.
The ReelLife Science Awards, which take place annually as part of Science Week and the Galway Science and Technology Festival, encourage students to explore complex topics through multimedia. Entries this year ranged from the biology of head-lice to the physics of F1 cars and the mechanics of lucid dreaming.
Award winners across school categories
The competition recognized excellence across three primary categories, with winners receiving €1,000 each.
| Category | Winning School/Group | Project Title |
|---|---|---|
| Primary School | Abbey Primary School, Roscommon | Nitty Gritty Science |
| Post-Primary | Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr | Céard é Diaibéiteas? |
| Youth Organisation | Grow Music, Dundalk | How Do We Make Sound? |
Other schools and organizations receive recognition for scientific education
Several other schools and organizations were recognized for their creative contributions to scientific education. The second-place prize in the post-primary category went to Alexandra College Dublin students Yuqi Lu and Audrey Yang for an animated video on noise-cancelling headphones. Third place was awarded to Anna Wing Yin Hui of Nord Anglia International School, Dublin, for a hand-drawn animation explaining the science of lucid dreaming.
In the primary sector, Sooey National School in Sligo placed second for a video on photosynthesis, while Gaelscoil Riabhach in Galway took third for their explanation of the solar eclipse. Among youth organizations, Brogan O’Donnell of Trident Swim Club in Leitrim earned second place for an underwater exploration of energy production, and the Ballyphehane and Greenmount Foróige group in Cork placed third for their work on F1 aerodynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students participated in the awards?
The competition included more than 1,000 students from schools across Ireland who submitted over 200 individual video entries.
Where can the winning videos be viewed?
All winning entries from this year’s ReelLife Science Awards are available for viewing on YouTube.
What is the purpose of the ReelLife Science Awards?
The awards aim to promote science communication among young people by encouraging them to create engaging, educational videos on scientific topics ranging from biology to physics.
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