Record number of entries for Young Scientist exhibition

THE 50th Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition competition, taking place in the RDS next January, is set to be a record breaker with the biggest ever number of entries.

Over 2,000 ideas have been submitted by 4,418 students from across 32 counties.

In total nearly one in every two schools across the Republic have entered a project for the milestone year, while students in Dublin have entered 445 projects.

BT, which has organised the event for the last 14 years, has significantly evolved the exhibition every year to engage as many young people as possible in the key areas of science, technology, engineering, maths, innovation and commercialisation.

Major progress has been made over the past 14 years with a tripling in the number of project entries; a new commercialisation boot camp; a financial bursary to assist participating schools; and a growing array of science and technology exhibits, events and special acts that attract thousands of visitors.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn said that in its 50th year, the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition was breaking new records.

“Figures are up for participating students and schools, as well as an increase in entries in key categories such as chemical, physical and mathematical sciences,

? he said.

“The importance of investment in research and innovation to our economy cannot be underestimated, and I commend everyone involved in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for providing a platform for young people to showcase their creative ideas on both national and international stages.

?

Colm O’Neill, the CEO of BT Ireland, said investment in science and technology has continued to serve Ireland well.

“As a country we need to ensure we have the talent to sustain and grow these valuable sectors,

? he said.

“We are delighted that the exhibition, 50 years on, is so compelling that 50 per cent of secondary schools have entered a project.

“I would like to thank the students, their teachers and parents, and our partners such as the Department of Education & Skills, for being key elements in what is truly a great Irish success story.

?

It is estimated that over the past 50 years, almost 70,000 students have submitted more than 33,000 projects to the exhibition.

In recent years BT has noted an increase in the number of students creating commercially-viable projects and demonstrating entrepreneurial flair.

The 50th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS from January 8 – 11 2014.

There are over 120 awards including the overall BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year. In addition, BT offers over 30 participating students the opportunity to take part in the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp, an intensive commercialisation skills programme.