Here’s what happened on Day Two of the 2024 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

Over 1,100 secondary school students from all over Ireland flocked to the RDS again today for day two of the 2024 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), which is celebrating its 60th year.

With just over twenty-four hours to go until the winning projects are announced, many finalists were in full swing showcasing their project entries to the expert judging panel, who continued their assessments today.

Speaking on the judging process today, Professor Pat Guiry, BTYSTE judge said: “It’s an honour to be a part of the judging panel at the 2024 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and learn more about the amazing ideas that are being presented so passionately by Ireland’s brightest young minds this year.

“The judges and I have an unenviable task of choosing the winners from the extremely high calibre of project entries and challenging decisions to make in the day ahead.

“This year’s entries are a testament to how creative Ireland’s young generation truly are, and a fitting showcase of incredible STEM innovation on the 60th anniversary of the exhibition.

“I congratulate all this year’s finalists for getting this far in the competition and wish them luck ahead of tomorrow’s awards ceremony”.

Visitors today also got the opportunity to experience an unmissable line-up of special acts across three stages at the RDS today, including psychologist James Soper’s brand new show “Your Big Beautiful Biased Brain”.

James mesmerised the crowd with mind bending illusions, and interactive demonstrations, showcasing that while the human brain is the most amazing machine in the universe, there’s more to our minds than we might think!

James will continue to perform his show for audiences on Friday and Saturday, alongside other special acts including Mark the Science Guy, Our Space Adventure, Juanita’s Big Problem, and Global Goals Drumming Workshop.

John Bernard Basañes with Maksymilian Surowiec and Nikita Bickovs from Colaiste Mhuire, Westmeath showcasing their project ‘Artificial intelligence in education – Friend or Foe? at day two of the 2024 and 60th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

Alongside the BTYSTE, Ireland’s next generation of young scientists also took centre stage on the first day of the 2024 Primary Science Fair, which was officially launched by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD this morning.

Today and tomorrow, classes of up to thirty 3rd to 6th class students, representing 55 schools will showcase their impressive ideas, and demonstrate just how bright the future is for STEM in Ireland.

A total of  incredible Primary Science Fair projects were displayed at the RDS that explored a wide range of 75 scientific areas, including living things, environmental awareness and care, energy forces and the make-up of materials.

Maeve Brady, Clodagh Gibbons from Loreto Community School Donegal showcasing their project ‘Quantitative Analysis of Radon in Donegal’ at day two of the 2024 and 60th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

Tomorrow promises to be another fantastic day at the 2024 BTYSTE, with special acts including an interactive performance about how the brain works from scientist James Soper. Mark Langtry will also be performing his show ‘Limitless’ again, while the Primary Science Fair will continue for a second day.

Final judging and deliberation will get underway from early, before the 2024 BTYSTE awards ceremony begins at 5:30pm.

At the ceremony, all winners, including who will take home the BT Young Scientist and Technologist (s) of the Year Award this year, will be announced.

Additionally, 57 brilliant stands from the exhibition’s partners, including the Department of Education, Analog Devices, Amgen, Stripe and RTE will be set up throughout the RDS.

For more information on the exhibition, please visit the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition website or follow @BTYSTE on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube or Snapchat.