Frequently asked questions

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General

Will BTYSTE be proceeding as normal this year?

The 2025 exhibition will proceed as a face to face event.  The event will take place from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 January, 2025.

Will the BTYSTE be held in the RDS?

The 2025 exhibition will return to the RDS

When is BTYSTE 2025 taking place?

BTYSTE 2024 will take place from Wednesday the 9th of January to Saturday the 11th of January 2025.

What format will BTYSTE 2025 take?

The event will be face to face for 2025

Will visitors be able see the qualified projects?

Yes! If you cannot attend in person the students’ projects can be viewed via https://portal.btyoungscientist.com/ 

When can I book school visits?

Details of bookings for school visits will be announced in September. 

How much are tickets for BTYSTE 2025?

Ticket costs are Students €10, Teachers €10, Adults €15, Family (2+2) €35, Concession and group booking rates are available. 

What happens if I miss a live event at the BTYSTE 2025?

Luckily with most of our live shows, you will be able to watch them back whenever you like on the portal. 

Student/Teacher Questions

How will projects be judged?

Stage one (to 30 September) – Please enter via www.btyoungscientist.com.  Screening of all entries will take place as soon after closing date as possible.

Stage two (October tbc) – For those that that qualify you will be sent notification of the key dates and information needed for January.

Stage three (January) – Judging of top 550 projects will take place in person in the RDS from the 8th to 11th January 2025.

How will students display their projects?

All projects will be displayed in person this year, so students should prepare a visual display board to use on their stand. Qualifying Students will also submit a 3 minute video that will act as their virtual “stand” on the BTYSTE portal. 

When will the onsite Judging occur?

Judging will commence on Wednesday 8th January 2025 from 3.00 pm and will continue all day Thursday. Final judging will be completed on Friday morning. 

What happens if a project needs to be withdrawn?

When a student confirms that they will exhibit a project, one of the available stand spaces will be allocated against that project. It is the teacher’s responsibility to check with students before the Christmas holidays to confirm that they are still planning to participate. If a project has to be withdrawn, please let us know immediately in writing to BTYSTE@btyoungscientist.com before 6th December 2024. Call 1800 924 362 from the Republic of Ireland or 0800 917 1297 from Northern Ireland. Failure to do so may lead to the disqualification of participation of the project in future years. 

How many projects can be displayed at BTYSTE 2025?

There is no change in numbers this year, the number of projects that qualify will be a max of 550.

How does GDPR affect the exhibition? Most students involved are under the age of 18?

We have existing GDPR guidelines and place which will reviewed and enhanced, if necessary, over the coming months. There will be changes to some of the T&C’s associated with the exhibition and we will inform those that these changes effect in good time.

Will BTYSTE be livestreamed for students who can’t attend in person?

Yes, students can access the portal to view projects, sponsors stands and shows at https://portal.btyoungscientist.com/

What child protection provisions will be in place for BTYSTE 2025?

We will be reviewing all child protection measures that we currently have in place for BTYSTE and will enhance those if necessary.

Will we be able to access virtual events/talks through the BTYSTE app on mobile/tablet?

We are working on how best to do this in advance of the 2025 exhibition dates. How this looks and feels will be announced in due course, we want to make sure that we have the best exhibition possible and we need to take time and resource to plan this properly.

When is the deadline for the BTYSTE 2024?

The deadline for student entries is the 27 September, teacher assessments must be completed by 5pm on 30 September 2024.

What kind of project can I enter?

Students can enter a project as normal, in the five categories we have for the exhibition.  All the details are on our website www.btyoungscientist.com. The entry system will remain the same and is open to students at www.btyoungscientist.com.

Does the project have to be worked on during school hours?

No the project can be worked on at times convenient for you but remember to include all the work in your project diary.

Is there a Project entry fee?

Yes. Entry to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2025 is €20/£18 per student. Results of the project selection process will not be released until the entry fee has been paid. 

Is there financial support available to fund the work?

The Accommodation Grant Scheme (the ‘Grant Scheme’) is available to schools that are over 70 Km from the RDS, grants of €150/£135 payable to a school in respect of each individual pupil project entry and grants of €300/£270 payable to a school in respect of each group project entry, subject always to a maximum grant payment per school of €1,500/£1,350.  See the factfile for more details. 

How many can work together in a group?

Groups will consist of either two or three members, where possible in the same age group (Junior, Intermediate or Senior), who must be from the same school .

Will the entry system change this year?

No the entry system remains the same and these can be accessed via our website www.btyoungscientist.com.

How do I check if my project idea has been entered before?

You can search our past projects using keywords at https://btyoungscientist.com/past-projects/ to see if similar projects have been entered before. 

If I don’t get to enter this year can I still enter my idea next year?

If you are between 12-19 in second level education, yes you can enter next year.

Will patent protection apply?

Yes and guidance on this for qualified projects will be send out when you are notified that you have qualified.  We hope to once again work with the Patents office so students can get free advice on patenting their projects.

Will internet access be available for my project should I qualify to exhibit in January?

Wi-Fi will be available throughout the exhibition hall 

What happens if a project is entered in the wrong category?

If during screening the judges believes that your project would represent another category more accurately, it will be transferred to the more suitable category. 

How can I decide of my project should be in the Technology category?

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, cybersecurity, communications, electronic systems, robotics, control technology, applications of technology, biotechnology, innovative developments to existing problems, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, computing and automation. Students are also expected to understand the basic science behind the technology so that they can get the most from the project. 

How can I decide of my project should be in the Biological & Ecological Sciences category?

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, biodiversity, biotechnology, botany, conservation, disease, ecology, environmental science, enzymology, forestry, food science, genetics, horticulture, marine biology, medical science, metabolism, microbiology, molecular biology, nanotechnology, physiology, physiotherapy, plant science, sustainability or veterinary science. 

How can I decide of my project should be in the Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences category?

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. Projects based on earth and space sciences such as meteorology, geophysics, geology, astronomy, advance materials and nanoscience are also eligible. 

How can I decide of my project should be in the Social & Behavioural Sciences category?

For a project to be accepted into this category it must cover social and behavioural sciences, economic, geographical, psychological or sociological studies of human behaviour, attitudes and experience, social analysis of environmental factors, demography, learning or perception. Projects on consumer affairs, effects on society, social anthropology and political science, provided they involve the use of scientific methods, are also eligible. 

How can I decide of my project should be in the Health & Wellbeing category?

For a project to be accepted into this category it must incorporate the study of (attitudes and behaviour in relation to) health, mental health, nutrition, work, leisure, sport and exercise, living habits and wellbeingThe study of culture, civil engagement, community, economic development, environmental quality, housing, skills, social connections, and quality of life and work will also be eligible. 

How can I decide which category to enter?

You can use the subheadings under the main five categories to help you decide which of the main categories you should enter. 

My project could be entered under two categories, which do I select?

At the entry stage select the one you and your teacher deem the most suitable for you project based on the subcategories of the projects and if the judges feel it would be represented in a different category more accurately it may be moved during screening.

Visitor questions

Will the public be able to attend the BTYSTE 2025?

Yes,  tickets will be on sale for the event.

Will visitors be able see the qualified projects?

Yes! If you cannot attend in person the students’ projects can be viewed via https://portal.btyoungscientist.com/ 

How much are tickets for BTYSTE 2025?

Ticket costs are Students €10, Teachers €10, Adults €15, Family (2+2) €35, Concession and group booking rates are available. 

What happens if I miss a live event at the BTYSTE 2025?

Luckily with most of our live shows, you will be able to watch them back whenever you like on the portal.

The Primary Science Fair

When is the application deadline for Primary Science Fair 2025?

The deadline for Primary Science Fair will be in October 2024 – the final date will be announced in September. 

How many qualified projects will be accepted this year?

We will be looking at approx. 100 projects to enter this year and these should come from full class groups in an individual school.  If the school has a small community then one or more classes can do a project together as long as there are no more than 30 students involved.  Students should be from 3rd-6th class.

How will judging for Primary Science Fair take place for 2025?

PSF judging will take place face to face in the RDS

Will participating classes be able to present their project together virtually?

No, individual classes will need to present their projects on site at the RDS. 

Will the max number of students per project change for PSF 2025?

As we do each year, there will be a max of 30 students per project.

How will a participating class present their project for PSF 2025?

This class will present their project in person via posters or displays in their allocated stand area. 

What dates will the Primary Science Fair take place in 2025?

PSF @ BTYSTE 2025 will take place on Thursday 9th of January and Friday the 10th of January 2025.

What are the categories that can be entered for the Primary Science Fair?

Projects can be entered under the one of the following four categories: Living Things, Materials, Environmental Awareness and Care, Energy and Forces 

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