‘It Starts Here’ with the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition which officially announced the qualifying projects for the 2018 Exhibition today. Students Alison Egan, Caoimhe Harrington & Aine Morgan from Castleknock Community College and Brandon Kenna & Keith Enright from Trinity Comprehensive Secondary School showcase the role Science and Technology will play in shaping our futures.
- Finalists for the 2018 Exhibition announced
- 2,031 projects submitted to the 54th BTYSTE
- Project titles show increasing mindfulness of major social issues
1st November 2017: The finalists of the 2018 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) have been announced as the Exhibition gears up for the 54th year of the renowned educational event.
This week BT, the organisers and sponsors of the event, delivered the good news to the students involved in the 550 finalist projects. An impressive 2,031 projects were submitted by students across the island of Ireland, with every county represented by a submission. This year’s award is more special than ever, as the 2018 overall winner will represent Ireland in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists when it comes to Dublin in September.
An unusually high number of the 2018 Exhibition entries investigate burning social issues such as homelessness, transgender rights and mental health. Whilst subjects such as these are not uncommon for the Behavioural Science Category, this year the trend is visible in the more traditional categories such as Biological & Ecological Science and Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Science, highlighting just how much these topics are impacting on students’ lives.
Shay Walsh, MD BT Ireland said,
“BT Ireland is proud to once again be organising the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and to announce the 2018 participants. As a technology company we feel that it is vital to foster an interest in STEM right across the country to ensure our cities and towns have the talent required to move forward as a society. This is something we are proud to do with our involvement each year with the BTYSTE”.
“The 2018 project themes highlight just how important outlets such as the BTYSTE are for students to investigate matters of interest or concern to them in their everyday life. It is fascinating to see such an in-depth knowledge of the prevalent issues facing Ireland, like homelessness. Addressing topical issues is something we really encourage. Our hope is that by showcasing how science and technology are in everything and how they play a role in our everyday lives, we will encourage more students to take part in the magic that is the Exhibition”.
“Over the years, we’ve seen an extremely high standard of entries and this year is no different. It is an exciting time ahead for the finalists. They have all worked very hard in getting themselves to this point in the competition and we look forward to seeing the participants exhibit their extraordinary work in January.”
Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton said, “I have set the ambition to make Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe within a decade. Key to achieving this ambition is ensuring that our young people develop analytical skills, critical thinking and creativity. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition continues to make an invaluable contribution to developing these aptitudes in thousands of students across the country each year. The Exhibition also inspires students to engage with the STEM subjects, which is an area I am very passionate about and it is very encouraging to see all the bright minds of STEM putting forward suggestions on how to make the world a better place. The project title trends always show you what is important to young people in Ireland and this year it is no different with extremely topical themes such as equality, homelessness and health to the fore. That is why events such as this are so important as they allow students across Ireland to channel their talents into projects and subjects which hold significant importance to them. Congratulations to all students and of course teachers and parents who have put so much work into the projects, I look forward to seeing them at this year’s Exhibition”.
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place from the 10th – 13th January 2018 at the RDS in Dublin. The exhibition offers one of the most coveted awards for participants, with a substantial prize fund and the BTYSTE perpetual trophy, as well as over 140 prizes for individuals, groups, and teachers. In addition, the overall winner will represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in 2018.
For more information on the exhibition and for details on how to enter, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com or follow BTYSTE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or Snapchat (username: BTYSTE).
