NORTHSIDE students joined with their peers from across the country to display their innovative projects at this year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).
The number of project entries has almost tripled from 606 in 2000 to an impressive 1,803 this year, with entries submitted from across the island of Ireland.
More than half (56 percent) of 2019 entrants were female, with a significant increase of 62 percent in the number of girls qualifying in the Chemical, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences.
Ten percent of entries for the 2019 Exhibition were from DEIS schools, which organisers say is a positive indication of the power of the platform to engage participation in the critical STEM subjects.
Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh, said, the exhibition has shown the ingenuity of Ireland’s youth for 55 years, and 2019 was no exception.
“The students at BTYSTE have sought creative, innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues, and that spirit and drive is to be commended,” he said.
“We say ‘it starts here’ at the BTYSTE and it really is only the beginning. From the young students involved in The Primary Science Fair to secondary students at the BTYSTE, it is vitally important that every student’s voyage of discovery does not end here.”
Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, said he was thrilled to visit the BTYSTE.
“The atmosphere of excitement, creativity and fun has been incredible,” he added.
“I am particularly pleased to see so many young people tackling some of the most important issues facing us, from climate change to health, to technology, ethics and societal change.
“The students are a credit to their families, schools and teachers and they should rightly be proud of being here. They are a huge inspiration.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the unique and brilliant event that the BTYSTE is; the organisers; the 81 judges; the dedicated teachers; and of course the mothers, fathers and families whose support is absolutely key to this.”
