Resources

What is the START Competition?
The START (Schools Teaching Awareness of Randomised Trials) Competition is a fun and educational initiative aimed at teaching children about randomised trials and how to run simple randomised experiments. It encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity while covering key areas of the school curriculum.

Who can participate in the START Competition?
The competition is open to 4th to 6th primary school children across Ireland.

Our class is very small / large, can we enter?

Yes! No School or class is too small or too large to enter the START Competition.

What is a randomised trial?
A randomised trial is a type of scientific experiment where participants are randomly assigned to different groups. It is commonly used in medical research but can be adapted for fun and simple experiments in the classroom. Visit our resources page to learn more.

What is randomisation?

Randomisation ensures that the groups in your trial are similar in key aspects (such as age, ability, and gender). The simplest way to do this is by randomly assigning people to different groups, for example, by drawing names from a hat. This helps make sure your results are fair and unbiased.

Can you give us an example of a winning project?
Yes! Check out the past winning projects on the resource page of this website.

What kind of question can we ask, does it have to be a science question?

A good question investigates whether one thing affects another, such as: “Does music improve focus?” or “Does homework affect mood?” Your question doesn’t have to be about science, but it should be something that can be answered using a randomised trial and should be a question the class are keen to answer.

How do we enter and submit our project?
Before you start your trial, decide on a question you want to answer. Once you have your question, register on our website (startcompetition.com) and complete the form with details such as your school’s name, the number of children involved, and the name of your trial. You will then receive log-in details to access the project submission page.

After completing your trial, log in to the website and upload your project. You can submit your project in any format, such as a digital presentation, video, poster, or written report. A checklist will help ensure you haven’t missed any of the required steps of the project.

Can we submit a physical project such as a scrap book or poster?
Yes, we welcome any format, but all submissions must be scanned and submitted electronically first.

If your trial is reported on a hard copy and your school is shortlisted, you will be invited to bring it to the ceremony to share with others.

How are the winners selected?
Projects are shortlisted by a panel of judges. Schools that make it to the shortlist will be notified at least two weeks before the award ceremony. Winners will be announced at the award ceremony which is held on a date close to International Clinical Trials Day (May 20^th).

What are the judging criteria?
Projects will be judged on the understanding of randomised trials, teamwork, and how well the project is communicated. The judges will also look at the Reflection section, assessing whether the children reflect on what worked well, what didn’t, and what they learned.

Who are the Judges?

The judges of the START Competition are Aisling Murray, Sarah Chapman, and Iseult Mangan. You can learn more about them by visiting the bio section on our About page.

When is the submission deadline?
The competition closes four weeks before the award ceremony, which takes place on the closest Friday to International Clinical Trials Day (20th May) each year.

How do we get feedback on our project?
All non-shortlisted schools will receive personalised feedback after the competition, along with a survey to gather feedback on your experience.

What do we win?

Shortlisted entries will be invited to the University of Galway for an exclusive day of celebration and discovery! The top 3 schools will be honoured with a prestigious crystal trophy and will take centre stage in an exciting awards ceremony.

There are students in our class with sensory / accessibility needs, can they attend the ceremony?

Yes. Our event is held in Aras Moyola, in the University of Galway. Our venue is fully accessible, and we also offer a quieter space on the day for anyone that needs access to it.

Is there any cost of participating in the START Competition?

There is no cost to participate in the START Competition; entry is completely free for all schools. If your school is shortlisted and invited to attend the ceremony, we will cover all associated costs with your travel and catering will be provided.

Do I have to know about trials to take part?

No! Most participants start without much knowledge about trials. As you go through the steps of the competition, children will learn about the key principles of randomised trials.

How can we learn more or get advice?
If you need any help or have further questions, you can contact us through the START Competition website or email our team directly at startcompetition@universityofgalway.ie.

We are here to assist you!

Can we submit as entry in Irish?

Táimid thar a bheith sásta iontrálacha don chomórtas START i nGaeilge a fháil.