329 schools with a total of 1,588 projects entered

A record number of schools have entered the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for 2010, proving that interest in science, technology, mathematics and engineering continues to grow throughout the country. Spread across the 32 counties, 329 schools have submitted a total of 1,588 projects for the upcoming exhibition in January.

The increase in schools entering the competition is a positive result and follows a focused campaign by BT to evolve the exhibition and encourage more schools to enjoy the experience. Over 20 more places have also been made available at the exhibition in January, enabling 520 projects to compete in the finals.

For the eleventh consecutive year the Technology Department is again preparing projects to represent the Abbey Grammar. Shea Quinn, Caolan Magee and Gavin Fox have won through to the KS3 Group Finals with their project ‘CPR Assistant’ and Paul McKeever and Bryan Murphy have won through to KS4 Group Finals, the staff assisting this year are Mr S Higgins, Mr G Savage and Mr T Mooney.

This years’ entries at a glance:

- 1,588 projects entered
- 329 schools throughout the country represented in the entries
- Projects received from each of the 32 counties
- 520 projects will take part in the final, an increase of 20 places on last year
- Projects entered in all four categories including:
Technology - 198 entries
Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences - 303 entries
Biological & Ecological Sciences - 534 entries
Social & Behavioural Sciences - 553 entries
- 57 percent entrants are female and 43 percent are male
- 1,273 (80%) entries are group entries and 315 (20%) are individual entries

Chris Clark, CEO, BT said, “Our focus is on continually evolving this fantastic exhibition, and we’re delighted that more schools than ever have responded positively and entered for 2010.” “This showcase of young talent is surpassed by none and the commercial successes of some of our past winners’ prove it is a real stepping stone for Ireland’s next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Now we’re now looking forward to seeing the big ideas and inventions that will be on show at the RDS in January.”

BT also recently launched the Business of Science & Technology, a new programme that will give students the business knowledge they need to turn their innovative ideas into commercial opportunities. The 40 students will be selected at the exhibition and mentored by leading executives from BT, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Bombardier, Bord Gais Eireann, IP Innovations, UCD, TCD, Engineers Ireland and Bank of Ireland on subjects such as protecting intellectual capital, global marketing and international business. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between education and business, and to support Ireland’s ambition to be a smart economy.

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, said: “The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, which my Department continues to support, is a unique platform for secondary school students to showcase their talents and imaginations. “As Minister, I want to promote science, technology, engineering and maths at all levels of our education system as part of the Government’s efforts to build the ‘smart’ innovation-based society in our economic recovery project.

“I’m also delighted this year to be in a position to provide placements in higher education institutions for the new Business of Science and Technology programme which will inspire students’ entrepreneurship and creativity.

“I want to pay tribute to BT for their ongoing support for the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and for promoting scientific and technological endeavour among our young people.” The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2010 will take place in the Main Hall, RDS, Dublin 4 from 12th – 16th January 2010. Doors will be open to the public from Thursday, 14th – Saturday, 16th January. For more information on the exhibition please visit www.btyoungscientist.com or call 1800 924 362.