Students Gallop to Success at BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp Winners of the 2016 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp announced at NovaUCD Dublin, Thursday 3rd March 2016: A talented team of five teenagers from Offaly, Dublin, Kilkenny and Limerick today claimed the winning spot at the 2016 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp with their project entitled ‘Courses for horses; feeding performance horses as nature intended’. The group presented to a judging panel of accomplished business professionals as they looked to demonstrate how their idea could improve the digestive health and efficiency of performance horses. Daniel Carroll aged 16 from Colaiste Choilm in Offay, Khadija Gull aged 17 from Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan in Dublin, Maeve Shaw aged 16 from Coláiste Pobal Osraí in Kilkenny, David Hamilton aged 15 from Ardscoil Ris in Limerick and Alanna Slater aged 16 from Desmond College in Limerick won ‘best overall team’ at the 7th annual BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp. The team impressed the judges with their well-planned and thought out business pitch for ‘Courses for horses’ which they presented this afternoon at NovaUCD. The team was selected for its significant progress over the four-day workshop, which is designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge to transform a creative idea into a viable business proposition. The students, selected because they displayed particular business ambition, are shown how to set up a company, write a business plan, create a marketing campaign, draft a budget and present their ideas competently to senior academics and business people. Heather Murphy aged 16 from Sutton Park School in Dublin was recognised as the best individual student.... read more
Transition Year girls from Balbriggan, Co. Dublin announced as winners of the 52nd BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition – Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan win two top awards Dublin, Friday, 8th January 2016: The winners of the 52nd BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (#BTYSTE) have been announced. Maria Louise Fufezan (aged 16) and Diana Bura (aged 15) have taken home the top prize for their project entitled, ‘An Investigation into the Effects of Enzymes used in Animal Feed Additives on the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis Elegans’. 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 Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland. The group entered in the intermediate section of the biological & ecological sciences category. Maria and Diana were presented with a cheque for €5,000, the opportunity to represent Ireland at the 28th European Union Young Scientist competition in Brussels later this year and the BTYSTE perpetual trophy. In addition, as the Group Technical Partner of Williams Racing, BT will bring the winners on an all-expenses paid trip to the home of Williams Racing in Oxfordshire, England. Here the winners will get a behind the scenes look at how Williams are using technology to ensure they remain one of the world’s leading Formula 1 teams. Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland, said; “We are proud that the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition continues to act as a springboard for future entrepreneurs, academics, scientists and technologists and we have countless past winners who are proof of that. I would like to sincerely congratulate every single student who took part this... read more
Dublin, Wednesday, 7th January 2016: Elizabeth Cullen, from Kildare, has been named the winner of the BT Masters competition in association with the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2016. Elizabeth along with two other finalists, Justin Wallace from Meath and Ina Langford from Limerick, presented their ideas to a panel of judges which included Dr. Tony Scott, founder of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition , Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland and Aisling Judge, former BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition winner. Elizabeth’s project, ‘A proposal to investigate the feasibility of undertaking enhanced surveillance of cancer in Ireland’ focused on recording environmental factors in people diagnosed with cancer. Elizabeth won a prize fund of €1,000 and a trophy. The BT Masters competition was open to over 20s and was developed for all those who wished they had taken part in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition or wanted to revisit the great experience they had when involved! Ireland’s most spectacular science and technology showcase is open to the public from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th January 2016 with up to 60,000 visitors, young and old, expected over the course of the event. Along 550 projects exhibiting there is a jam-packed programme of events, including creative inventions, interactive education and mind-blowing live shows. Tickets are available at the door costing €6 for students, €12 for adults and €25 for a family pass which includes 2 adults and 2 children. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is the ultimate family day out and a must for anyone with a passion for science and technology. For... read more
Thousands of students will light up Dublin’s RDS tomorrow as the 52nd BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition kicks off. Presenters Aidan Power and Áine Goggins will get proceedings underway with the official opening ceremony taking place tomorrow, Wednesday 6th January, and with 550 projects to get through, the official judging also commences tomorrow. Ireland’s most spectacular science and technology showcase will open to the public from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th January 2016 with up to 60,000 visitors, young and old, expected over the course of the event. The exhibition will incorporate the 550 secondary school student projects that were shortlisted from over 2,000 entries for display at the event. The winner(s) of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, to be announced on Friday, will be presented with a cheque for €5,000, the opportunity to represent Ireland at the 28th European Union Young Scientist competition taking place in Brussels and the BTYSTE perpetual trophy. In addition, as the Group Technical Partner of Williams Racing, BT will bring the winners on an all-expenses paid trip to the home of Williams Racing in Oxfordshire, England. Here the winners will get a behind the scenes look at how Williams are using technology to ensure they remain one of the world’s leading Formula 1 teams. As well as that, there is a jam-packed programme of events, including creative inventions, interactive education and mind-blowing live shows. Doors will open to the public at 9am on Thursday 7th January, with tickets available at the door costing €6 for students, €12 for adults and €25 for a family pass which includes 2 adults and... read more
News Release DC15-508 Take a Step Back in Time and Enter the BT Masters at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2016 BT competition offers over 20s the chance to express their creativity through STEM Dublin, Sunday, 1st November 2015: Ever wished you had taken part in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition? Ever dreamt that you could present your idea to a panel of expert judges? Well now is your chance. Today, RTE presenter Rick O’Shea launched the BT Masters, a new competition taking place at this year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE). The BT Masters will appeal to everyone who wished they had entered the Exhibition when they had the chance or may want to revisit the great experience they had when they were involved! This special competition is open across the island of Ireland to anyone aged 20 or older. Entrants must submit a one page proposal into one of the four designated categories; Technology; Biological and Ecological Sciences; Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences; or Social and Behavioural Sciences, by Friday 27th November to btmasters2016@gmail.com. Speaking at the launch today, RTE presenter Rick O’Shea commented; “This is everyone’s chance to literally take a step back in time. I am a huge fan of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition having attended it for the past years and the idea of the BT Masters drums up all sorts of nostalgia and trips down memory lane. I hear it every year I’m there from the parents and even the teachers who regret not entering when they were in school and there are some... read more
Competition entry brief Background: The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) competition for second level students across the island of Ireland. Please refer to www.btyoungscientist.com for more information on the core competition. As part of the 2016 exhibition BT is delighted to announce a special competition under the umbrella of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition named “the BT Masters”. The BT Masters is an all-Ireland competition for anyone who on 31st October 2015 is 20 years of age or over and who is not in second level (or equivalent) education. The BT Masters will run as an entirely separate competition to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition but will be judged, and the winner will be announced, during the week of the BTYSTE in January 2016 at the RDS, Dublin. Whether you are just out of college or retired many years and for all ages in between you can get involved and enter. Do you often wish you had entered BTYSTE while you had the chance in secondary school but you didn’t? Did you enter while in school and enjoyed the experience so much that you would like to take part again? Do you have a great idea you would like to present? Do you look fondly on the Exhibition every January and wish you had been there once or would like the chance to be there again? If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions then get your entry ready. Please note, if you have previously been named as the overall winner of the BTYSTE... read more
News Release DC15-485 – Over 50% of schools in Republic of Ireland submitted projects – Entrants are 62% female, 38% male Dublin, Thursday 15th October 2015: Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD, was on hand today to help BT Ireland announce the record number of schools in the Republic of Ireland that have entered the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. A total of 371 schools in the Republic submitted projects for the January 2016 exhibition which represents 51% of all secondary schools. This is an increase of 28 schools or 8% of schools since the previous exhibition. The 52nd BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition has attracted a total of 2,048 entries from the island of Ireland with 4,449 students submitting their finest ideas and innovations for consideration across the science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects. In addition, BT Ireland announced that the gender split of entrants this year is 62% female, and 38% male. Speaking at today’s announcement, Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD; “It is a testament to Ireland’s students and teachers that, in its 52nd year, the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is growing in such strength and numbers. This event is a fantastic platform for so many of our young talented students to develop their ideas and bring them to life on a national stage. Students inspired by curiosity and problem solving will be essential to Ireland’s economic and social future and I commend each one of them and their schools who have taken the time and effort to submit projects and I wish all the entrants... read more
Students urged to combat procrastination by entering the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition on ‘World Fight Procrastination Day’ Dublin, Sunday, 6th September 2015: In honour of ‘World Fight Procrastination Day’ which takes place today, BT is encouraging students nationwide to tackle their procrastination by submitting an entry to the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), before the deadline date of 29th September, 2015. According to experts*, students are one of the biggest culprits of procrastination, also referred to as ‘student syndrome’, whereby students feel that they can only fully begin to apply themselves to a task immediately before a deadline. So, with just a little over three weeks left before the closing date for entries to the BTYSTE, the timing is perfect to tackle procrastination in a fun and worthwhile way by getting those creative juices flowing. Getting involved in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition couldn’t be easier. Students can enter either as an individual or a group, by uploading a one-page proposal outlining their idea to www.btyoungscientist.com. 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. The BTYSTE provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for students whose projects are shortlisted. As well as the possibility of winning and representing Ireland on an international stage it is also an opportunity to expand your creativity outside of the classroom and make new, life-long friends at the exhibition in Dublin. In addition, with over 120 student, teacher and school awards to be won, including cash prizes, there... 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
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 across the country... read more
BT today began the first Northern Ireland BT Young Scientist business bootcamp in association with Queen’s University Belfast. A three day mentoring and skills camp, the business bootcamp is designed to provide students with practical skills and knowledge to help them turn a project idea into a viable business opportunity. Twenty six students from across Northern Ireland were selected to participate in the business bootcamp this week, all of whom participated in the 2015 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in January. Over the three days the students will be guided by BT Business mentors who will offer them practical training in intensive commercialisation, marketing, team-building and how to prepare a business pitch. Commenting on the launch of the first local BT Young Scientist business bootcamp, Peter Russell, General Manager of BT Business in Northern Ireland, said: “The BT Young Scientist business bootcamp has been hugely successful in both Dublin and in Abu Dhabi and we are delighted to now bring it to Belfast for the first time. The programme is a crucial step forward in equipping our young entrepreneurial students with practical knowledge and skills to prepare them for the business world. He added, “As well as organising and sponsoring the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for the past 15 years, BT is also a major investor in Northern Ireland and a renowned global leader in innovation. So we understand first-hand the importance of developing and nurturing the talent and skills of young people as they are who will ultimately drive the growth of our local economy. I wish all the students the very best of luck this week”. Minister for Education... read more
