What is the Start Competition?
Every year the world celebrates International Clinical Trials Day on May 20th. This event marks the anniversary of the first well-documented randomised clinical trial which took place in 1747 in the British Navy. The Health Research Board – Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) wishes to celebrate this important occasion with the help of the younger members of our community. We invite primary school students in 4th, 5th & 6th classes to lead on an exciting project and create their very own fun randomised clinical trial.
How can schools take part?
Teachers and students are asked to identify a suitable research question they can answer scientifically using the information provided. The purpose of this competition is to help students become aware of the randomised clinical trial process, rather than answering a ground breaking question. Pick a simple, easy to answer question, but use the proper steps of a clinical trial to answer it.
The best part is that you can report the findings in any way you like, podcast, video, collage or poster, report, it’s up to you to be as creative as you like! The deadline for receipt of completed projects is April 13th 2018.
What can schools win?
Shortlisted entries will be invited to join the HRB-TMRN in NUI Galway on Friday May 18th, where the winner will be announced and presented with the HRB-TMRN START Trophy 2018.
The HRB-TMRN will cover all travel expenses for attending the ceremony and lunch will be provided on the day. Students will enjoy a series of educational, interactive, fun workshops and learn more about clinical research.
To get started, Simply download the relevant helpful documents: Lets Go
Competition
Opens
Closing
Date
Notification of
Shortlisted Schools
Awards
Ceremony
Lets Get Started
To get started, Simply download the relevant helpful documents below.
Stories
2018 Judging Panel
Our 2018 Judging panel will be announced shortly.
The First Randomised Clinical Trial
Learn more about the first Randomised Clinical Trial and Dr James Lind.
Modern Medicine
What the Industrial Revolution Did for Us
2017 Video
Check out all of the fun of our 2017 event
2016 Video
Check out all of the fun of our 2016 event
The Irish Times
‘START’ competition introduces pupils to the scientific way of problem solving
The Irish Times
Clinical trials: how oranges and lemons ensured we don’t compare apples with oranges
The Irish Times
‘START’ competition lets pupils create clinical trials adjoining hall.
St. Josephs NS Macroom Cork
3rd Place START Winners 2017
Cloghan’s Hill National School
1st Place START Winners 2017
Scoil Moibhí
2nd Place START Winners 2017
Randomisation
Learn more about Randomised Trials
Have a look at previous events
Vlick here to view the 3 shortlisted entries for 2016 and 2017. Each shortlisted school received a START trophy and attended a fun interactive day in NUI Galway to meet with people working on randomised clinical trials.
Need Support?
Talk to us today! We have a team of experienced people around the country who are very happy to help you and your class or school take part in START. We can arrange for a visit to your school or chat over the phone to help you.
