The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/Joint Award Initiative and BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has teamed up with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/Joint Award Initiative to enable young people (aged 14-24) who are planning and preparing a project for entry to the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition to use their participation to count towards the Skills section of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. (In Northern Ireland, under a Joint Award Initiative any young person who meets the standards of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has a choice of certification. They can choose a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a Gaisce – The President’s Award or a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award certificate).

What is The Award?

The Award is the world’s leading youth achievement programme for 14-24 year olds. Operating in over 140 countries around the world, the Award develops young people for life and work. It is a voluntary, non-competitive programme, which gives young people the opportunity to experience new activities or develop existing skills. There are three progressive levels of programmes which when successfully completed lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. Young people create their own programme by choosing activities for the following sections:

Volunteering – undertaking service to individuals or the community.
Physical – improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness.
Skills – developing practical or social skills and personal interests.
Expedition – planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey.
And at Gold level, taking part in an additional Residential section, which involves working and staying away from home doing a shared activity.

BTYSTE for your Skills

Participating in BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is a great way for young people to complete the Skills section of their programme. In order to meet the standard for the Skills section at Bronze level, participants must commit at least one hour per week over a minimum of 13 weeks. For further information on time requirements, visit: www.theawardni.org and www.DofE.org.

If you are interested in using your planning, preparation and participation in BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition to count towards the Award at Bronze level, speak to your Leader in your school or organisation you’re involved with to agree how you can record and share your weekly progress.