Special Awards
The information listed in this section is relevant to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2024 and will be constantly updated with information
ABP Food Group
This award is for Farm Sustainability and will be made to the project that has practical use on a farm which is innovative and is proven by testing. The project could be one to have a direct impact on one of the following areas: slurry gases, fall prevention, protection from cattle or machinery. Use of SMART technology could also be taken in consideration.
AMD
AMD is delighted to present an award for the project that best demonstrates outstanding innovation in the field of technology. The award celebrates students who have showcased exceptional creativity, technical skills, and the ability to push the boundaries of technological advancements. The project can relate to any sector or topic including the environment, healthcare, artificial intelligence, gaming, robotics and beyond.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
The award is presented to the project that that has developed, showcases the use of or has researched the benefits of a new emerging technology in learning and education. The technology should have the potential to be more widely adopted and applied and may include, among others, the use of AI, AR, 3D and wearable technologies.
The Central Statistics Office
The Central Statistics Office is delighted to sponsor an award that will encourage young people to use open data. Exploring the potential value of growing access to open data is one of the challenges of our information society. This award is for the most innovative use, or potential use, of CSO data. The application of open data may be varied: Statistical analyses, statistical processes or statistical outputs, be they scientific or mathematical, a piece of research, a visualisation or a data map, the development of a device, a software application or the use of CSO data in any other innovative way. Whatever way students use our data, the CSO is excited to see your open data projects.
Geological Survey of Ireland
The award will be given to the project that best demonstrates the use of geological data. Collecting and interpreting geological data should form the substantive part of the project, which can have a geographical or a technological context. The candidate will be expected to reference geological maps and texts to support their arguments. The candidate should demonstrate some of the following: An understanding of the geological basis of landscape. An understanding of geological processes. A holistic view of the environment, particularly in the context of geoscience heritage and/or resource issues. Note that Geological maps and information are available over the web via Geological Survey Ireland’s website, http://www.gsi.ie.
Housing Agency
The Housing Agency Special Award winner will have demonstrated the most potential to improve housing quality, supply, access or experience. It should highlight how important housing is for everyone. We are looking for a project that is well thought-out and well executed, that is innovative and has the potential to have a real impact on people’s housing and quality of life.
Health Research Board
The Health Research Board (HRB) is Ireland’s lead funding agency supporting innovative health and social
care research and delivering data and evidence that improves people’s health and patient care. We are
committed to putting people first, and ensuring that data and evidence are used in policy and practice to
overcome health challenges, advance health systems, and benefit society and the economy.
Meta Platforms Ireland
The Meta Award will be presented to the project that demonstrates the best use of immersive technology and innovation. The project may utilise Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Game Development, Realtime or Virtual Production to enhance, or provide insight into, a users experience.
National Disability Authority
The National Disability Authority Award will be presented to the student(s) whose project most clearly demonstrates (through both display presentation and their discussions with judges) how the outcomes of their project would:
a) have significant impacts and benefits for people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities in Ireland to overcome a barrier or difficulty and enable them to have more choice and control in their lives
OR
b) introduce a new universally designed product or service or space that can be used by all people to the greatest extent possible regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.
The NDA particularly encourages use of a co-design process to ensure participation by people with disabilities and presentation of convincing data and results to show that their project is innovative and has the potential to be scaled up and have wide application.
The Ombudsman for Children’s Award
The Ombudsman for Children recognises achievements in promoting the rights and welfare of children. The winner’s project should raise awareness of an issue impacting children, or amplify children’s voices. The award is based on principles of equality, respect, and inclusivity.
Road Safety Authority
The RSA Special Award project winner will have demonstrated that they have researched their project thoroughly and that they have shown that their invention/research initiative can be shown to make a difference and also that it could have the potential to reduce road fatalities on Irish roads. Any entry to the The RSA Special Award project winner will have demonstrated that they have researched their project thoroughly and that they have shown that their invention/research initiative can be shown to make a difference and also that it could have the potential to reduce road fatalities on Irish roads.
Science Foundation of Ireland
Science Foundation Ireland would like this award to be made to the students that have best described (through both their poster and their discussions with judges) how the outcomes of their project would have significant impacts and benefits for people in Ireland. The winners will have: 1. Identified an issue or problem that is of critical importance to some or all of the people of Ireland, through exploring the findings of Creating our Future (see below). 2. Visualised a clear strategy for how their project will tackle this issue or problem. 3. Demonstrated that they understand the challenges that would be faced in order for their project to succeed and have significant impacts. 4. Presented convincing data and results to show that their strategy has the potential to succeed. Creating our Future sought to understand what challenges and opportunities the people of Ireland experience in their lives. It created a conversation on how research can play a role in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities.
Over 18,000 submissions were received, analysed and synthesised into 16 thematic areas. The response demonstrated that the people of Ireland want their voice to be heard and that they have confidence in the promise and potential of research to transform lives and create sustainable societies.
A database of all of the submission has been created and is available at www.creatingourfuture.ie It contains the voice of the public. It is their ideas for what should be investigated to address the challenges we face and the opportunities we should seize. The ideas have been made public so that they may spark a research or project question.
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
For the project that demonstrates the best potential to contribute to understanding and delivering Ireland’s sustainable energy transition ambitions. For example, this could be in the areas of energy efficient technology, renewable energy opportunities, consumer behaviour, data science, mobilising societal change.
Self Help Africa
The winning project of the Science for Development award should: 1. Show a clear understanding of the causes of poverty, injustice and inequality in a Global South context and a willingness to learn more (Issues could include: Food and livelihood security; climate change and the environment (e.g. deforestation, clean water and sanitation, fertile soil, soil erosion, fishery, energy, air quality, pollution); gender equality; appropriate technology; access to education; health issues e.g. e.g. HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Covid, TB, maternal/child health, etc.). 2. Use appropriate and sustainable technology, solutions and/or materials that can be adopted and implemented at local community level in the Global South. 3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the local context, target audience and needs, which the project is designed for. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the connections between the local (Ireland) and the global level in relation to the chosen development issue and project, as well as an understanding of a partnership approach to development.
TII / eFlow
eFlow are sponsoring this award for student(s) who produce the best project in the field of transport. The project should demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the transport sector, incorporating any of the following themes: sustainable mobility, innovation in transport, climate action, technology, community engagement, equity, and accessibility. eFlow operates the barrier-free tolling systems on Dublin’s M50 motorway on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland.