Sign up for our newsletter and keep up to date with all our latest news.
Trinity Primary School, Tuam
1st place 2025
“Does eating breakfast help children do better in school?”
That’s the question this 6th class from a DEIS Band 1 school in Tuam decided to answer through a randomised trial. What started as a brainstorming session led to a full-class investigation involving maths, science, healthy eating, and teamwork. With help from local cafés, the children set up a classroom café and tested whether breakfast really makes a difference. Their trial showed it does, and they had great fun doing it!
St Fintans BNS, Mountrah
3rd place 2025
“Do video games affect children’s concentration?”
This 5th and 6th class from a boys’ school explored that very question by designing and running their own randomised trial. After narrowing down ideas like energy drinks and performance, they decided on a fair, practical question they could test. With great teamwork, they planned, ran, and analysed their trial, learning to problem-solve, collaborate, and critically think like scientists. Their trial not only sparked curiosity, it also led to a strong, hands-on learning experience that they won’t forget.
Shaun Treweek
Health researcher and past START Competition judge
Shaun believes that even young children can understand and design great trials! In this video, he shares how primary school children (6-11 years old) take on the challenge—choosing a research question, running a trial, and even presenting their findings to the President of Ireland. He’s amazed by their enthusiasm and excitement, proving that trial methodology is not just important—it’s cool!
Duleek G.N.S. Co Meath
1st place 2024
Ellen Costigan (Teacher) and her students discuss their trial, “Does 10 minutes of ambulatory activity affect the speed and mood of 10-year-olds?”
In this video, the children explain their trial, detailing their findings and the process they followed.
The teacher reflects on the experience, noting the real-world application and integration with the curriculum. She says, “There is a point to what you are learning. Children are happy, they are learning, that’s my job done.” She also highlights how actively engaged the children were in investigating a topic they were passionate about.
Coolmeen N.S, Co. Clare
2nd place 2024
Seamus Foudy (Teacher) and two of his students recount their experience with the trial, “Do we learn more when working in a group or independently?”
In this video, the Teacher emphasises the child-centred approach, highlighting the competition as an excellent tool for teamwork, problem-solving, and a valuable opportunity for multi-class collaboration. The children share their experience, with one noting, “Thinking outside the box is what I liked most.”
Holy Family N.S, Co. Dublin
3rd place 2024
Conan Byrne (Teacher) and two of his students discussing their randomised trial, “Does being on a device before bed affect your sleep?”
In this video, Conan talks about how the project allowed him to challenge his students, fostering their critical thinking and research skills. The children explain their project, detailing how they conducted a survey, gathered information, randomised participants into groups, and analysed the outcomes.
Cloghans Hill, N.S. Co. Galway
1st place 2017
Testimonial from Cloghan’s Hill N.S. Two children and Iseult Mangan, their teacher discuss their trial, “Music: Our Memory’s Friend or Foe?”
In this video, the children share how they selected their question, while their teacher explains the management of the multi-class project involving all 15 pupils. Learn how this project supported their application for the STEM Plaque of Excellence by incorporating scientific investigation.
Scoil Moibhí, Co. Dublin
2nd place 2017
Watch as two 4th class children and their Teacher Fiona De Bhal, talk about their trial, “Can interactive spelling games improve spelling test results?”
In this video, the children explain their innovative trial, while their Teacher highlights the unique benefits of this experience. Discover how this project introduced a fresh teaching approach and fostered independence in the children’s learning.
St. Josephs N.S. Macroom Cork
3rd place 2017
In this video, teacher Lisa Cooper and her students share their trial, “Do coloured pens help children concentrate better?”
The students explain how they developed their research question and tested whether coloured pens could improve focus.
One child mentioned, “When you are having fun, you don’t really see the difficulty.”
Lisa reflects on the project, emphasising the value of teamwork and the enjoyment the children had in exploring science. She says, “We worked together as groups, everybody had a role within the project, and they were having lots of fun.”
