President Higgins hails exciting time for scientists at BTYSTE opening
President Michael D. Higgins opened the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) at the RDS in Dublin yesterday with a warning of the challenges facing scientists.
Speaking at the annual competition’s opening ceremony President Higgins said: “It is both an exciting and a morally challenging time to be a young scientist. Young scientists and technologists have a great responsibility and opportunities to be conscientious and conscious as to where their work will be applied.
“What encourages me to hope is that I see gathered here not only brilliant young scientists, technologists, full of innovative ideas and creativity, but also enthusiastic global citizens, all of which bodes well for their giving support and leadership in the achieving of a sustainable and cohesive future on our island and a harmonious existence on this, our vulnerable planet.”
The judging of 1,062 student finalists across 550 projects is underway. A panel of 85 experts from across the STEM sector will be casting their eyes over categories including technology; biological and ecological science; chemical, physical and mathematical sciences; and social and behavioural sciences.
The overall winner, along with one senior project from each of the four remaining categories, will be awarded a trip to the World Expo, in Osaka, Japan, and will represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Riga, Latvia this September.
The BT Ireland Executive Leaders Forum was also held at the exhibition yesterday in conjunction with Business in the Community Ireland (BITC) and the American Chamber. This year’s Forum raised awareness of the importance of collaboration across industry, business, and education to expanding Ireland’s STEM pipeline. The event called on business leaders to explore how together, their organisations can strengthen Ireland’s position as a global hub for STEM innovation and talent.
BT became title sponsor of the Young Scientist Exhibition in 2020, taking over from Aer Lingus. During this time new categories were added for technoloy and health & wellbeing, introduced travel and accomodation grants for schools, and launched partnerships with GAISCE and The Duke of Edinburgh Awards in Northern Ireland.
Managing director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh, said: “This year is a particular cause of celebration for all of us at BT Ireland as we mark 25 years as custodian of the exhibition today. It is an honour to support this incredible platform for young adults in Ireland, as each year, it offers them an incredible opportunity to learn more about STEM as well as develop critical skills such as teamwork, and entrepreneurship.
“Ireland has generated some of the world’s most exceptional STEM talent in the last 60 decades, with many exhibition alumni going on to change the world for the better. We are immensely proud to have played a role in this during in the last 25 years and look forward to seeing many of this year’s finalists continue to blaze a trail in the sector in years to come.”
The exhibition officially opens to the public today as does the Primary Science Fair, which features projects from more than 50 primary schools.
Furthermore 60 stands from BTYSTE partners will be set up around the venue, including the Department of Education, Analog Devices, Amgen, Stripe, Permanent TSB, Re-turn, and RTÉ.
Tickets to the BTYSTE can be purchased at https://ticketing.btyoungscientist.com or at the venue. Tickets are available for Friday 10 January and Saturday 11 January.
TechRadio will feature a report from the floor at the BTYSTE this Friday.
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