Secondary students of all nationalities have been urged to get their thinking caps on at the launch of the 2012 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Title sponsor BT has committed to support the event – the largest of its kind in Europe – to the tune of €2m for a further three years.
BT will also increase its travel and accommodation grant by 50 per cent to €75,000 to help schools in rural areas to make the trip to Dublin for the annual fair and competition in January.
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition encourages schools and students to embrace science, technology, engineering and maths, and provides a platform for innovative ideas to be recognised and showcased.
Many student projects at the exhibition have gone on to secure awards at international events such as the UK Young Scientist, the European Young Scientist and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the US.
The exhibition has also been a launch pad for students to turn their innovative ideas into commercial opportunities.
Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn, who was on hand at the launch, said: “The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, which is now entering its 48th year, gives young people a great opportunity to move beyond the classroom and to display their originality and research skills to great practical effect.
“It provides the motivation and stimulus to encourage today’s students to strive to be at the forefront of research and innovation in tomorrow’s world and continuing to encourage our young people to be interested in science and technology is vitally important to the economy.”
BT calls on students interested in taking part to begin to prepare their projects for the 2012 exhibition. The closing for entry is 3 October 2011, and BT is hoping to break a new record for entry numbers in 2012.
The 2012 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place at the RDS in Dublin from 11-15 January. For more information on the exhibition call 1800 924 362 (from NI call 0800 917 1297) or visit www.btyoungscientist.com.
