BT Masters Competition

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

1. on 31^st October 2015 is 20 years of age or over and
2. 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 as either an individual or as part of a group you are not eligible to enter the BT Masters Competition. However former Category winners, special award winners and highly commended winners can enter.

Our judging panel will consist of current judges of the BTYSTE, previous winners of the Exhibition and a representative from BT Communications Ireland Limited.

The overall winner of the BT Masters Competition will receive a trophy and a prize fund of €1,000.00.

 

Overview:

The competition will open on Monday, 2^nd of November 2015 and submissions will be accepted from that date. The closing date for entries is Friday, 27^th November 2015 at 00.00 (midnight). No late entries will be accepted.

The shortlisted entries will be notified by Friday, 11^th December 2015 and will be invited to present their ideas at a closed session to the judging panel on Wednesday, 6^th January 2016 at the RDS, Dublin 4. Time and location within the RDS, Dublin 4 will be confirmed closer to the date. The winner will be announced, including to media on Thursday, 7^th January 2016 and must be kept confidential until a time of BT’s choosing.

 

The categories:

Entrants can submit projects into any one of four categories outlined below:

1. Biological and Ecological Sciences – For a project to be accepted into this category it must have a biological and/or ecological focus and investigate aspects of animal, human, microbial or plant biology. Typically, projects deal with the following areas of study: agriculture, anatomy, animal science, biochemistry, biotechnology, disease, ecology, environmental science, enzymology, forestry, food science, genetics, horticulture, medical science, metabolism, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, physiotherapy, plant science or veterinary science.
2. Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences – For a project to be accepted into this category it must be based on chemistry, physics, mathematics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer programming and language or electronics. Also eligible are projects based on earth and space sciences such as meteorology, geophysics, geology and astronomy.
3. Social and Behavioural Sciences – For a project to be accepted into this category it must cover social and behavioural sciences, economic, geographical, psychological or sociological studies of human behaviours, attitudes and experience, social analysis of environmental factors or demography. Learning and perception as well as the study of attitudes and behaviour in relation to health, nutrition, work leisure and living habits are all included here. Also eligible are projects on consumer affairs, effects on society, social anthropology and political science provided they involved the use of scientific methods.
4. Technology – For a project to be accepted into the technology category, the core of the project must be the use of technology in new or improved applications, enhanced efficiencies, new innovations or better ways to do things. The category could include things related to the internet, communications, electronic systems, robotics, control technology, applications of technology, biotechnology innovative developments to existing problems, computing and/or automation. Entrants are also expected to understand the basic science behind the technology so that they can get the most from the project.

 

Where to get your idea:

You may already have an idea but if you are looking for help to decide on your topic think about things from all around you, in your everyday life and environment. The best ideas are often the simplest. Is there something that really annoys you about everyday life? Have you spotted a problem that needs a solution or could you do a project related to a hobby or past time you enjoy? Is there an issue that has touched you in some way that you would enjoy exploring a solution?

 

Prepare a one page proposal:

When you have decided on a project topic it is advisable to carry out some initial research and conduct some trial experiments (if relevant). You now need to write your One Page Proposal. This helps you not only to organise your thoughts but also to prepare the case for your project. The proposal should be word processed, with no more than 500 words and limited to one A4 sheet and must mention the category in which the project is to be entered.

Remember to mention any institutions or people you have contacted for information. This concise description of your thoughts about the project and of the work that you intend to carry out is essential to the screening process. A decision on whether or not your project will be shortlisted for the BT Masters in the RDS will be made on the basis of your initial application so the One Page Proposal is very important.

 

How to enter:

• Entries must be submitted in English. You can enter by sending your submission to btmasters2016@gmail.com
• A detailed ‘One Page Proposal’ outlining your project idea must be submitted no later than 00.00 (midnight) on Friday 27^th November 2015.

 

What happens if you are shortlisted?

The panel of judges will assess each entry to the BT Masters under the judges’ criteria for selection. The shortlist will be notified via email and telephone no later than Friday, 11^th December 2015.

The shortlisted entries will then be expected to expand their original idea to a 5 slide power point presentation. This presentation, along with any visuals the entrant requires, will be presented by the entrant to the judging panel at a closed session. Each entrant should work on the basis of a maximum 10 minute presentation, followed by up to 10 minute questions and answers session with the judges for any further clarity.

Please note the shortlisted entrant is not expected to have worked up extensive visual aids or use props of any description, it is at the discretion of the entrant if they wish to do so to further explain their idea and/or outcomes from research conducted.

 

Award:

The overall winner of the BT Masters Competition will receive a replica of the overall trophy and €1,000.00.

 

The winner:

The winner will be notified on the evening of Wednesday, 6^th January 2016 once the judges’ deliberations are concluded. The winner must keep the news confidential until BT releases the news. Photography will be taken of the winner and issued to media on the morning of Thursday, 7^th January 2016. The winner will be required to participate in a small amount of publicity as deemed reasonable by BTYSTE. Publicity may be defined as (but shall not be limited to) the following:

• Media interviews
• Media engagement
• Media announcements
• Photography
• Social media

 

Queries:

If you have any issues or queries on this competition please contact: lydia.tierney@fleishmaneurope.com

 

Competition Rules:

A copy of the Competition Rules can be found at https://btyoungscientist.com/btyste-masters/