A Visit to the Young Scientist Exhibition!

What better way to begin the new year with a visit to the BT Young Science and Technology Exhibition in the RDS, Dublin!

What youth may lack in experience, they certainly make up for in courage, vision and imagination. Henry Taylor (poet) once said; ‘Imagination lit every lamp in this country, built every church, performed every act of kindness and progress, created more and better things for more people. It is a priceless ingredient for a better day’. With a little imagination many things are possible. Without it our lives are dull and lack direction. This gift was truly alive on a visit to the Young Scientist Exhibition earlier this month.

It was the 53rd year of this prestigious event and it featured 550 projects across four categories: Technology; Biological and Ecological; Social and Behavioural Sciences; and Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Over 2,000 entries initially were whittled down to 550. A record number of entries were submitted, engaging over four and a half thousand students from the beginning.

The quality of projects on display was extraordinary, tackling some of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing society today. Projects were as varied as they were many. The projects covered a wide variety of topics, from dating to farming and everything in between.

Not to be outdone was the Primary Science Fair with pupils from the senior classes exhibiting their projects also at the RDS.

The overall winner was Shane Curran from Terenure College. He has the opportunity to represent Ireland at the EU young scientist competition later in the year in Estonia. Cormac Larkin claimed the runner-up in the individual award. Cormac is a student at Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh, Cork, one of the schools in the Presentation Brothers schools Trust. The Colaiste is no stranger to the Young Scientist Exhibition. Raphael Hurley captured the overall prize in 1998.

Great credit is due to teachers, parents and especially the young people for their selfless dedication and commitment to the research done for the benefit of society. We are justifiably proud of you.

For further information about this impressive exhibition visit; btyoungscientist.com