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BT has reinforced its commitment to support schools across Ireland to enter the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition with a €75,000 accommodation grant. Since introducing the scheme in 2006, BT has distributed 1,115 grants to over 330 schools across the Republic and North of Ireland, amounting to a total figure of €488,700. Increased in 2012 to €75,000 per year, the BT grant offers more incentives for the competition and allows an ever increasing number of young people from both rural and urban areas spanning 32 counties to participate in the exhibition. Schools which are located over 70km from the RDS in Dublin, the home of the exhibition, are eligible to apply for a grant of €150 per individual entry or €300 for a group entry, up to a maximum of €1,500 per school. Schools in Limerick, for example, have received €38,900 to date under the BT grant scheme. Speaking about the scheme, Donal Enright a teacher from Desmond College in Limerick, commented, “Our school is very competitive and we have a proud history of success at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. This grant scheme is a real help in getting students to the competition, contributing significantly to transport and accommodation costs. I have brought students to the exhibition every year for the past decade and each year I am more and more impressed by the calibre and creativity of the entries. I would recommend those students and their teachers interested in participating to get thinking and enter a project before 1st October.” The 2015 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS,... read more
As almost 55,000 students await their Leaving Cert results tomorrow, an Irish survey has revealed that 86% of secondary school students believe that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects offer the best career opportunity. In addition the survey, which was commissioned by BT as organiser of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, also revealed that over 72% of secondary school students plan to study a STEM subject at third level. Conducted through Facebook and Twitter, and completed by over one thousand respondents from 26 counties aged from 13 to 18 years, the survey also revealed that while 73% of students say that STEM subjects are promoted in their schools, 36% of respondents believe that boys receive more encouragement than girls to study these subjects. Entrepreneurship and a career in technology also topped the list for respondents with 59% of students saying they would choose Mark Zuckerberg’s job. 18% of respondents said they would choose Barack Obama’s job, while the life of pop star Miley Cyrus received only 13% of votes. It seems however, that these budding technology entrepreneurs have mixed views when it comes to their potential earnings. When asked how much money they expect to earn in their first year of full-time employment, the majority of respondents (39%) are expecting €15,000 – €30,000, 26% expect to earn €30,000 – €45,000 with an optimistic 13% expecting to earn over €45,000 in their first year at work. Conversely, 22% of respondents expect to earn less than €15,000 in their first year of full-time employment and of this 22%, 3% do not expect to be paid at all. Commenting... read more
New records have been broken by the 51st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, according to BT, with 2,077 project ideas submitted in October by 4,616 students. And today, letters are winging their way to schools across the island to break the news about which students have qualified for the exhibition in January 2015. Speaking about today’s announcement, Colm O’Neill, CEO BT Ireland, commented, “2014 has been a great year for the exhibition. We reached the 50th milestone, and saw both our 2013 and 2014 winners continue our run of international success with prizes in European and international competitions.” “We’ve now hit a new record with the 51st exhibition, receiving more entries than ever before and giving an unprecedented number of students an opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for their talent.” Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD commented, “Even in its 51st year, the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is breaking new records with project numbers up from students across the country. As Ireland continues to establish itself as a world-leader in technology and science, the importance of an event like this cannot be underestimated. I would like to take this opportunity to commend everyone involved in this unique and remarkable event in the Irish education calendar.” The 2015 entries at a glance: 2,077 entries received (up 4%) 4,616 students (up 4%) 367 schools represented · Entries received from 30 counties (no entries from Fermanagh and Armagh) Students entered are 54% female, 46% male Number of entries per category: · Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences: 382 [up 9%] · Biological & Ecological Sciences: 615 [up... read more
Senior level students participating in the upcoming BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in January will now be in with a chance to win an entrance scholarship to their choice of Ireland’s seven universities in the Republic of Ireland, BT announced today. For the first time, scholarships of €1,000 will be awarded to every fifth and sixth year student that wins first place in either the individual or group categories at the exhibition, whilst a €2,000 scholarship will be awarded to any fifth and sixth year student that wins the overall 2015 BT Young Scientist & Technologist(s) of the Year award. Fifth year students who receive the entrance scholarship prize will be able to ‘bank’ their award until sixth year, when they make their university applications. The scholarships will be awarded to both Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland students who are eligible for the prize. Commenting on the announcement, DCU President and Chair of the National STEM Education Review Group, Prof. Brian MacCraith, said “On behalf of the universities involved in this scholarship funding, we are delighted to partner with BT in our common goal to encourage and harness STEM learning across the island of Ireland. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is a premier platform for second level STEM engagement and we want to recognise the efforts and enhanced learning experience of those students that participate in the exhibition, as they approach their third level education.” Colm O’ Neill, CEO, BT Ireland, added “Year after year, the exhibition continues to grow and more organisations are coming on board to help with the shared objective to drive science and technology engagement in schools. We hope that this scholarship scheme will not only offer a greater incentive to students to participate in... read more
In a major acknowledgment of the success of the exhibition, An Post today unveiled two new stamps celebrating Ireland’s significant contribution to science, one of which has been inspired by the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The stamp, designed by Detail, represents both the origins of the exhibition and the role of education in pushing the boundaries of science. It features a rocket illustration to mark the inspirational story behind the exhibition, which began in 1965 when two UCD researchers, Fr. Tom Burke and Dr Tony Scott became inspired on a trip to the USA, after encountering a boy testing a rocket for an upcoming science fair. Both recognised immediately the benefits of bringing science out of the classroom and set about organising a similar event in Ireland. Speaking at this morning’s announcement, Colm O’Neill, CEO, BT Ireland said; “We are delighted that An Post has recognised the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for its success in driving Ireland’s enviable reputation in science and for its continued growth over the past 50 years. Now in its 51st year and BT’s proud fifteenth year as organiser, the exhibition has never been more successful. This year we’ve aimed to raise the bar again by adding new technologies such as our smartphone app and expanding our line-up of acts and entertainment. It’s going to be a great week and I’m looking forward to meeting the many young talented people who are exhibiting here over the coming days.” Also attending this morning’s announcement, Donal Connell, CEO of An Post, said that the stamp marked the success of a remarkable event founded... read more
The winners of the 51st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (#BTYSTE) have been announced. Transition year students Ian O’Sullivan and Eimear Murphy, both aged 16, from Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk, Co Cork have taken home the top prize for their project entitled, ‘Alcohol consumption: Does the apple fall far from the tree?’. The announcement was made in the BT Arena at Dublin’s RDS this evening by Jan O’Sullivan, TD, Minister for Education and Skills and Colm O’Neill, CEO, BT Ireland. The pair entered in the Intermediate section of the Social & Behavioural Sciences category. Ian andEimear were presented with a cheque for €5,000, the opportunity to represent Ireland at the 27th European Union Young Scientist competition taking place in September in Milan and the BTYSTE perpetual trophy. In addition they will receive an all-expenses paid trip to London to go behind the scenes at the state of the art BT Sport studios, take in a Premier League game and also do a tour of the BT Information Age exhibit at the London Science Museum. Colm O’Neill, CEO, BT Ireland said, “Every year the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition captures the public’s imagination by demonstrating the creativity, ingenuity and potential of our young people. Over the past three days we have had some of Ireland’s brightest, hard-working and positive young people inspire us with their ideas. Everyone involved with the exhibition has been hugely impressed by the calibre of these entries. He added, “This exhibition continues to be the showcase for our next generation of entrepreneurs, academics, scientists and technologists; minds that will tackle and solve some of the... read more
Top illusionist joins BT in call for entries to the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Top illusionist and television mentalist David Meade today wowed the crowds in Belfast city centre with a gravity-defying stunt to launch the 2016 BT Young Scientist & TechnologyExhibition. Proving that the impossible is actually possible, David attracted gasps from startled onlookers as he sat suspended in thin air – a feat that must be seen in person to be believed. The display was created by BT to mark the official launch of the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and today the company called on second level students across the island of Ireland to get involved. To enter, the individual or group must submit a one-page proposal outlining their project idea before the closing date of 29th September, 2015. Entries can be made in any one of four categories: technology, social and behavioural science, biological and ecological science or chemical, physical and mathematical science. Commenting on the launch, David Meade said: “I am very excited to be involved in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. As a former teacher myself, I understand the importance of encouraging young people to take what they’re learning in the classroom and use their imagination to turn it into a fantastic idea. “It is so important that young people create their own journey and future path to success and this world class competition is a great way of helping them to really imagine the possibilities that could lie ahead – as I’ve demonstrated today, nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it!”. Colm... read more
IMAGINE YOUR DISCOVERY… Reigning BT Young Scientist champions Ian O’Sullivan and Eimear Murphy today revealed the mystery that has surrounded activity at Dublin’s Silicon Docks this week by announcing the launch of the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE). On Monday night, an anonymous glass cube appeared floating on Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock, igniting much curiosity and discussion on social media as onlookers tried to find out the purpose of the cube and its contents. From a pink elephant to an extra-terrestrial family, the objects inside the cube compelled people to use their imaginations to understand what they might symbolise. The display was created by BT to mark the launch of the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and today the company called on secondary school students across the island of Ireland to get involved. To enter, the individual or group must submit a one-page proposal outlining their project idea before the closing date of 29th September, 2015. Entries can be made in any one of four categories: technology, social and behavioural science, biological and ecological science or Chemical, physical and mathematical science. Eimear Murphy and Ian O’ Sullivan from Coláiste Treasa in Cork were crowned overall winners in January 2015, with their project entitled ‘Alcohol consumption: Does the apple fall far from the tree?’ The project explored the potential influence that parents have on their adolescent children’s alcohol consumption through their own drinking and their attitudes towards drinking. Commenting at today’s launch Ian said, “Winning the competition has been life-changing, but more than that – it really is the taking part. We met students from... read more
