START Competition

“Stay curious and keep asking questions”

Wise words for everyone - both young and old! A big thank you Gráinne Gorman from the Health Research Board (HRB) who opened up our awards ceremony today

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026

🥇1st place: St. Patrick’s Boys National School, Co. Limerick
❓Does doodling help you to remember details versus not doodling?
Teacher: Katie Lohan

🥈2nd place: St. Attracta’s, Co. Roscommon
❓Do warm-ups affect athletic performance in children?
Teacher: Siobhán H***e

🥉3rd place: Trinity Primary School, Co. Galway
❓Impact of Crowd Noise on Penalty Kick Accuracy
Teacher: Declan Coyne

Workshops in full swing here! Animals, neuroscience, cell explorers, physiology, kitchen chemistry, statistics and the famous buzz game. 🎉🧪🥼🤩

It’s all good here in Áras Moyola - 95 mini trialists have come for a day of fun, STEM, science and importantly to showcase there wonderful randomised trials!

,🎉 Who’s coming to Galway this year?
We’re busy reviewing your brilliant projects – and the excitement is building!

Have a look back at one of our past award ceremonies...
https://startcompetition.com/ceremony-awards/

Such an amazing celebration of creativity, teamwork and science! 🧪

Ceremony Awards – START Competition All travel expenses will be covered, ensuring you arrive in style. On the day, the children will be treated to a series of dynamic and interactive workshops designed to ignite your curiosity and deepen your understanding of clinical research (followed by an all-important delicious lunch!). These wor...

🗳️ While the judges are reviewing your entries… let’s hear from you!
What’s the BEST part about taking part in the START Competition?
1️⃣ Learning something new
2️⃣ Doing the experiment
3️⃣ Winning! 🥇
Vote below and tell us why in the comments! 👇
We love hearing what made your trial journey fun or surprising!

👩‍⚖️👨‍⚖️ Meet the judges!
Our brilliant panel of START Competition judges are now busy reviewing your entries! 🧐📝
They’re looking at every project with care, checking your trial steps, your creativity, and your reflections.
Want to see who they are?
👉 https://startcompetition.com/about-us/

Thanks to all schools who entered, we’re loving your work already!