Record breaking 14% increase in number of entries
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition has broken all records with 1,616 projects entered into the 2009 exhibition. With a significant 14% increase in the overall number of projects across the island, it is a testament to BT’s commitment to attract more and more students into the world of science and technology.
The BT Young Scientist Exhibition aims to build ingenuity, creativity and excitement amongst students and to help them to understand the importance and relevance of the sciences in their everyday lives, while fostering the very skills that are essential for building a knowledge economy and the future prosperity of the island.
3,712 students are represented in the 1,616 projects in 32 counties across the island which includes a 25% increase in the number of projects from Northern Ireland. This is a clear indication of how the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition has grown from strength the strength throughout its 45 year history to become one of the largest events of its kind in the world. Year on year there has been a steady surge in the number of entries; from 669 entries in 2001 to an overwhelming 1,616 this year marking an overall increase of 240%.
500 of the projects submitted will qualify to compete in the finals in the RDS, Dublin next January. The overall winner(s) will be crowned BT Young Scientist of the Year and will receive a Waterford Crystal trophy together with a cheque for EUR5,000. The winner will also get the opportunity to represent Ireland in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in September 2009.
This year’s exhibition entries at a glance:
· 1,616 projects entered for the January 2009 Exhibition
· 500 projects to take part in the finals
· Project entered in all four categories:
– Technology
– Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences
– Biological and Ecological
– Social and Behavioural Sciences
· 58% of entries are female
· Each category has entries at junior, intermediate and senior levels
· 1301 group entries and 315 individual entries
Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Education and Science Batt O’Keeffe T.D., said “with such an increase in the number of entries this year, it is obvious that the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition promotes an enthusiasm for science amongst students.
“The sciences are a crucial element to the growth and success of our economy and it is vitally important that second level students are encouraged to study science subjects for the future development of our economy and society as a whole. The BT Young Scientist Exhibition provides the perfect opportunity for today’s students to demonstrate their skills in a competitive environment and to become the innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
Commenting on another record number of entries, Chris Clark, CEO, BT said: “it is clear from the increased number of entries year on year that we are achieving our goal; to provide a platform for students across the island to express their ingenuity and to build their skills through science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is important for us that students recognise that these subjects play a substantial part in building the economy for the future and by learning new skills through science and technology they too can be a part of this”.
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will be held in the RDS, Dublin from the 6th – 10th January 2009. For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com or call 1800 924 362 or from Northern Ireland 0800 917 1297.
