Young Filmmakers Shine at ReelLIFE SCIENCE Awards in Galway

Young Irish filmmakers showcased their creativity and scientific curiosity at the 13th Annual ReelLIFE SCIENCE Awards, held at the University of Galway on March 10, 2025. The event, part of Science Week and the Galway Science and Technology Festival, celebrated over 200 short science videos produced by 1,800 enthusiastic students from 86 schools and youth groups across Ireland.

A panel of esteemed judges evaluated the entries, including renowned science communicator Mark Langtry, Amy Hassett from University College Dublin, and the winners of the 2025 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, Ciara, Saoirse, and Laoise Murphy from Presentation Secondary School in Tralee, Co Kerry.

Primary School Winners Showcase Impressive Talent

In the primary school category, Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea, Co Galway, took home the first prize of €1,000 for their animated video titled ‘An Fharraige Dhomhain,’ which explores the deep sea. The team, consisting of 23 sixth-class students and led by teacher Brian Ó Meacháin, impressed the judges with their creativity.

Runners-up included a humorous video from Sooey National School in Sligo, where teacher Thomas Egan and his sixth-class students illustrated the workings of the eye in ‘Small or Far Away?’ Third place went to Killorglin National School in Kerry for their science music video ‘Why do Cats Always Land on their Feet’, while Abbey Primary School in Boyle, Co Roscommon, secured fourth place with ‘Machine Made Possible,’ a study of levers and pulleys.

Post-Primary and Youth Organisation Winners Recognized

In the post-primary section, the €1,000 first prize was awarded to a group of seven first and second-year students from Coláiste Ghobnait on Inis Oírr, Co Galway, for their video ‘Céard is cúis le ailléirgi?’ which explained the causes of allergies in Irish. The team was guided by their science teacher, Rebecca Ní Chríócháin.

Second place was claimed by sixth-year students Shaun Irimpan and Gabriel McCrystal from Coláiste Na Mí in Navan, Co Meath, who highlighted the negative impacts of artificial intelligence in their video ‘What Happens When Everyone Uses AI?’ The third-place prize was awarded to Transition Year students from Alexandra College in Dublin for their informative video ‘Everything We Need to Know About Dopamine.’

The youth organisation category saw a group of twelve young people from Athlone, Co Westmeath, take first prize for their video ‘Why is the Sky Blue?’ This project was part of the My Life Online workshops facilitated by Midlands Science and Foróige, with support from the Rethink Ireland TikTok Digital Future Fund.

The runners-up in this category included Brogan O’Donnell from Trident Swim Club in Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, who created an intriguing underwater video exploring ‘The Science of Swimming.’

Special Awards Acknowledge Various Talents

Additional special category awards recognized outstanding contributions in various fields. Carrigallen National School in Leitrim received the Agricultural Science Award, while Bunclody Community College in Wexford was honored with the Best Acting Award. Mount Anville Secondary School in Dublin won the Best Animation Award, and Gaelscoil Uileog de Búrca in Mayo took home the award for Best Físéan Gaeilge. Other awards included the How Things Work Award for Royal School Cavan and the Teamwork Award for Presentation Primary Listowel in Kerry.

All winning videos can be viewed on the official ReelLIFE SCIENCE YouTube channel.

The ReelLIFE SCIENCE programme, initiated by Dr. Enda O’Connell and a team from University of Galway’s College of Science and Engineering in 2013, continues to inspire young people across Ireland. Over the years, more than 30,000 students have participated in this initiative, developing their communication and digital skills through engaging with science and technology.

“Every year, we’re amazed by the imagination, creativity, and curiosity shown by young people across Ireland,” Dr. O’Connell remarked. “Through ReelLIFE SCIENCE, they bring science to life in ways that are funny, thought-provoking, and inspiring, making it accessible to everyone.”

The initiative receives support from the Research Ireland Discover Programme, University of Galway’s College of Science and Engineering, the CÚRAM – Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, the Cell EXPLORERS programme, and Foróige.