Dublin, Tuesday 5th May 2009: The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2010 launches its search for innovative projects today. BT, organiser and sponsor of the exhibition, is encouraging students throughout the island to use the summer break to put their thinking caps on and be in with a chance to win one of 100 awards at the exhibition in January.
Ireland, as a nation, has renewed its focus on becoming an ‘innovation island’ and ‘smart economy’. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition can play a key role in enhancing our government’s directive to encourage and facilitate students, the economy’s most natural resource, in the areas of technological and scientific development. The exhibition aims to germinate an interest in the key skills of science, technology, engineering and maths and provide a platform for students and schools throughout Ireland to showcase their ingenious ideas and inventions.
Chris Clark, CEO, BT commented, “This exhibition is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when the private and public sectors work together in pursuit of a common purpose – to nurture our young students interest in the sciences and technology, the skills that we require to secure a prosperous future. We believe there is a strong link between innovation and entrepreneurship, science and business generation, and in these challenging times we want to be at the forefront in supporting that growth.”
BT has organised and sponsored this event for 10 years, bringing the financial support that allows this exhibition to thrive, as well as providing over 100 employees to work on the competition. The 2010 event is a huge celebration for everyone at BT as well as the students, schools, judges, partners and everyone that helps make it such a success.
“Through our 10 years of organising this exhibition, and €5 million investment, we are very proud of the growth of the competition. 2009 was a memorable year for a number of reasons: record number of entries from 32 counties; support from governments North and South as well as key gold partners; over 70 judges from academia and business; and a great overall winning project that has real commercial viability. BT is delighted to continue its investment in 2010, particularly in challenging economic times, because we believe the skills agenda is vital to regaining Ireland’s competitiveness,” added Chris Clark.
The exhibition has helped to create a millionaire (Patrick Collison, winner 2005), a published author (Sarah Flannery, winner 1999), a technology genius that the worlds’ online community questioned (Adnan Osmani, winner 2003), a 13-year old girl that could help warzones with her sandbag invention (Emer Jones, winner 2008), and a 14-year old girl that could reduce food spoilage (Aisling Judge, winner 2006). Over 10 winners of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition have gone on to win prizes at the EU Contest for Young Scientists over the past 20 years. There have also been numerous other accolades over the entire 45 year history and the majority of winners have gone on to pursue careers in science, technology, maths and engineering.
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2010 will take place in the RDS, Dublin 4 from 12th – 16th January 2010. For more information on the exhibition and how to enter please visit www.btyoungscientist.com or call 1800 924 362.
