Deadline for BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition fast approaches
Northern Ireland’s favourite illusionist is urging students to submit entries
Top illusionist and television mentalist David Meade, today joined BT to urge students from across Northern Ireland to submit an entry for the 2018 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), ahead of the fast approaching deadline of 25th September 2017.
The exhibition, now in its 54th year, is one of the largest and longest running STEM* events in the world. The theme for BTYSTE 2018 is ‘It Starts Here’ signifying the beginning of opportunities for young people at the exhibition, where they can express their interest in STEM and demonstrate creativity by turning their ideas into reality outside of a classroom setting.
Getting involved in the BTYSTE is simple; students have the choice to either enter as an individual or in a group and entries can be made in any one of four categories. The categories include: technology, social and behavioural science, biological and ecological science, or chemical, physical and mathematical. Students are asked to upload a one-page proposal outlining their idea to www.btyoungscientist.com
BT has also reinforced its commitment to support schools across Northern Ireland to enter this year’s exhibition with a free travel and accommodation grant. All schools in Northern Ireland on application can qualify for the BT Travel and Accommodation Grant, which means that schools which are located over 70km from the RDS in Dublin, where the exhibition is held, are eligible to apply for a grant of up to £2,205. The BT grant offers more incentives for the competition and allows an ever increasing number of young people from both rural and urban areas to participate in the exhibition. There are also college bursaries to be won to attend one of the seven colleges in the Republic of Ireland.
David Meade, who is an official ambassador for BTYSTE, said: “I’ve been involved with the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for the past three years now and each year I’ve been impressed by the incredible entries submitted by students across Northern Ireland. The exhibition can be the starting point of a bright and brilliant future for many and it allows young people to really develop their imaginations and interest in STEM subjects, which is extremely important. I would strongly urge both students and teachers alike to get involved, and to work together to submit an entry before the deadline of September 25th.”
Mari Cahalane, Head of BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition added: “With the summer holidays almost over and the new school year fast approaching, now is the perfect time for young people across the region to start thinking of project ideas and to submit an entry into the 2018 exhibition.
“The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition plays a key role in nurturing the wide pool of talent across Northern Ireland and we would encourage all teachers and students to consider entering projects. Over the years, we’ve seen a wide variety of different and unusual projects being submitted so no matter what you are interested in, it is worth exploring further and seeing if your idea fits the entry criteria. Each year we get some great entries from Northern Ireland schools and I’m sure that this year will be no different. We’re really looking forward to seeing what students from Northern Ireland come up with!”
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place from the 10th- 13th January 2018 at the RDS in Dublin. The exhibition offers one of the most coveted awards for participants, with a substantial prize fund and the BTYSTE perpetual trophy, as well as over 140 prizes for individuals, groups, and teachers. In addition, the overall winner will take part in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in 2018.
For more information on the exhibition and for details on how to enter, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com or follow BTYSTE on Facebook and Twitter.
*STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
ENDS
About the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is Ireland’s premier STEM event for secondary school pupils.Since its origin in 1963, the BTYSTE has grown from a simple science fair to become one the most highly regarded platforms for encouraging young people to use the foundations of science, technology, engineering and maths to inspire new ideas and new ways of thinking about the world we live in. The exhibition itself is the final stage of the competition, which is open to all second level students from Ireland, both north and south. As well as the 550 shortlisted student projects on display each year, there are a further four exhibition halls filled with cutting edge science and technology based exhibits and entertainment, making it a thrilling event for those who enter and for general visitors alike. The 2018 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place from 10th-13th January in the RDS, Dublin 4. For more information on how to get involved visit www.btyoungscientist.com
