For our youngest scientists

Kickstart their curiosity at the Primary Science Fair

Part of the annual Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, this non-competitive showcase is designed to spark a lifelong love for science, technology, and maths in primary school students. It will take place on 8–9 January 2026 at the RDS, alongside the main exhibition.

About the fair

A stepping stone to Stripe YSTE

For over 25 years, the Primary Science Fair has provided third to sixth class students with their first taste of a national science exhibition. It's an essential opportunity to build confidence, and inspires many students to become future participants in Stripe YSTE.

The rules

This is not a competition—all schools will receive participation certificates to distribute to their students, as well as a plaque to say that they have been part of the Primary Science Fair at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2026. The maximum number of pupils is 30 per project, ideally a full-class group. For smaller schools, multigrade classes can put a project forward, and they should be a combination of third to sixth classes only. We may accept more than one project per school, depending on the availability of spaces. All entries will be screened by judges from the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, as we may receive more applications than we can accept.

Guidelines

We recommend having a full-class discussion about areas of interest in the students’ science learning. Ask them questions about what they want to do and how they want to do it, make sure they have as much fun as possible while learning scientifically. Agree on the focus of your idea so that you can work on it. Always remember that the students have to produce a poster for the Primary Science Fair, which they can use to showcase their project and talk about the steps they have taken in their explorations/investigations. The students will be interviewed by some of the wonderful Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition alumni and guest judges.

Ethics and safety

Throughout their science investigations, children should be aware of and encouraged to adopt safe practices. They should observe safety procedures in designing and making tasks, particularly when they are using tools and materials. On site, there should be a maximum of eight students around the poster at any one time. Please ensure that your students bring a minimum amount of bags with them, as there will not be any cloakroom facility. Students should keep their bags with them at all times.

Primary Science Fair FAQs

For queries specific to the Primary Science Fair, email yste@yste.ie with “Primary Science Fair” or “PSF” in the subject line.

When is the application deadline for the Primary Science Fair (PSF) 2026?

The deadline for entries to the Primary Science Fair will be Friday, 14 November 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

How many qualified projects will be accepted this year?

Approximately 60 projects will be accepted this year, and these should come from full-class groups at an individual school. If the school has a small community, then one or more classes can do a project together, as long as there are no more than 30 students involved. Students should be from third to sixth classes only.

How will judging for the PSF take place for 2026?

PSF judging will take place in person, with the judges for PSF interviewing the class. The class will be asked to present a poster outlining the details of their project.

Will participating classes be able to present their project together virtually?

No, individual classes will need to present their projects on-site at the RDS.

What is the maximum number of students per project?

As in prior years, there will be a maximum of 30 students per project. No more than eight students should be at the stand at any one time for health and safety reasons.

How will a participating class present their project for PSF 2026?

The class will present their project in person via posters or displays in their allocated stand area.

On what dates will the PSF take place in 2026?

The PSF will take place on Thursday, 8 January and Friday, 9 January 2026.

What are the categories that can be entered for the PSF?

Projects can be entered under one of the following four categories:

Living things: Human, plant, and animal life
Materials: Properties and characteristics of materials; materials and change
Environmental awareness and care: Environmental awareness, science and the environment, caring for the environment
Energy and forces: Light, sound, heat, magnetism and electricity, forces

The next generation

Spark interest in the wonders of science

The Primary Science Fair encourages young students to explore how the world works, setting them on a path of scientific inquiry and invention. Submit entries by 14 November at 5:00 p.m. for the chance to take part.

Apply now