Mental Health & Climate Change dominate project trends at the 2020 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
- Over 1,800 projects entered in total
- 550 finalists for the 2020 Exhibition announced
- 244 schools spanning 31 counties will represent their community at the Exhibition
- Projects titles show increasing awareness of major social issues
- Technology company BT marks 20 years as organiser of the Exhibition
Tuesday 5th November 2019: The 550 finalists who will represent their school and community at the 2020 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) have been announced. Selected from over 1,800 entries, these projects represent 244 schools across 31 counties. As BT, the organiser of the event, delivered the good news over the past week, students have already begun preparing to exhibit their projects and meet the judges at the 56th annual Exhibition on 8th January, 2020.
A significant number of the projects this year delve into pressing social issues such as mental health, transgender rights and the effects that social media has on young people. Topics such as these are prevalent in the Social & Behavioural Science category but are also increasingly prevalent in the remaining three categories – Technology, Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences and Biological & Ecological Sciences.
Shay Walsh, Managing Director at BT Ireland said, “It is a trend in itself globally that it is our young people who are now leading the charge when it comes to taking action on issues such as climate change and mental health. I am personally encouraged and positive about Ireland’s future when I see this same passion and concern coming from our own young people as evidenced in their project ideas. At BT we know, having organised this Exhibition for the last 20 years, that our alumni are the change makers of tomorrow; and that the BTYSTE is a powerful platform for them to express their ideas, opinions and solutions.
“I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to each and every student who submitted an entry to the 2020 Exhibition and to wish our finalists the very best of luck in the coming weeks as they put the finishing touches on their projects. We’re looking forward to meeting all of our talented class of 2020 at the RDS in January.”
Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh said, “It is so important for our young people to develop analytical skills, critical thinking and creativity. Every year the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition makes this happen. It is an inspiration. I was deeply impressed at last year’s event by the scale of ambition from all the students, their ability to explain their projects and the knowledge and skill that they demonstrated.
“The type of projects also highlighted what is important to young people. This year is no different with topical themes such as climate change, wellbeing and health.
“Events like this are so important. It gives students a chance to channel their talents into issues which they want to tackle and change. Congratulations to all the students, teachers and parents who have put so much time and effort into the projects.”
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place from the 8th – 11th January, 2020 at the RDS in Dublin. This national celebration of science and technology is one of the country’s best attended events every year, and has something for people of all ages to enjoy. For participants, the Exhibition offers one of the most coveted awards with a substantial prize fund and the BTYSTE perpetual trophy, as well as over 200 prizes for individuals, groups, and teachers. In addition, the overall winner will represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Salamanca, Spain, in September 2020.
In addition to the core Exhibition, the Primary Science Fair will also take place at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition from the 9th -11th January 2020. The Primary Science Fair has been an exciting part of the internationally renowned BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for over 16 years, and continues to play a pivotal role in the primary academic calendar in Ireland. The Fair is designed to instil an early love of science and discovery in primary school students across Ireland.
Tickets for the 2020 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will be available for purchase from Monday 11th November. For more information on this fantastic family event, visit www.btyoungscientist.com, or follow @BTYSTE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or Snapchat (username: BTYSTE).
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About the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (#BTYSTE):
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is much more than a competition – it is the experience of a lifetime for the students and teachers who take part. Designed to raise schools’ engagement in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), the Exhibition calls upon students aged 12-19 years from all over the island of Ireland to showcase innovative science and technology projects to approx. 50,000 visitors each year. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is supported by several valued partners including the Department of Education & Skills, Analog Devices, CISC, Perrigo, RTE and the Department of Education, Northern Ireland. Learn more at www.btyoungscientist.com.
About The Primary Science Fair:
The Primary Science Fair, founded in 2003, will take place at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition from the 9th-11th January 2020. Bringing together inquiring minds from primary schools across the country, The Primary Science Fair will give young students the chance to discover and learn about the possibilities of science, technology, engineering and maths by working on their own projects in a non-competitive environment. The Primary Science Fair supports the curriculum and gives these students a platform to learn more about the scientific method and showcase their hard work on a national stage. The aim of the event is to foster a love of science early, and help students develop their math and science skills.
About BT:
BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services. BT consists of four customer-facing units: Consumer, Enterprise, Global and Openreach.
For the year ended 31 March 2019, BT Group’s reported revenue was £23,428m with reported profit before taxation of £2,666m.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a fully-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London stock exchange.
For more information, visit www.btplc.com
