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BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Winners Take First Prize at EU Awards

September 24th 2013

Ciara Judge, Emer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow Awarded First Prize in Biology at EU Young Scientist Competition in Prague

The 2013 winners of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, Ciara Judge, Emer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow, have been awarded First prize in Biology at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Prague today.  Representing Ireland (North and South) the girls beat off intense competition from over 120 students from 38 countries, ranging in ages from 14-20 to win the award worth €7,000 as well as an honorary award of an all expenses paid trip to the London International Youth Science Forum.

Each year the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition winner receives the honour of representing Ireland in the annual EU competition. Colm O’Neill, Chief Executive, BT Ireland said, “In 25 years of competing at the EU competition, Ireland has now taken home the top honours 15 times, out-performing all other countries. We believe this major award will add to the future career prospects for Ciara, Emer and Sophie, raise the profile of their school and teachers, and further boost the impressive international credentials of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.  The girls have done us proud.”

Ciara, Emer and Sophie from Kinsale Community College, Cork won the coveted 2013 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition prize for their project entitled, ‘A statistical investigation of the effects of diazotroph bacteria on plant germination.’  Their project investigated the benefits of diazotrophs during the germination stage of plant growth. The girls statistically analysed the results of their investigations using the student T-test.

The 2014 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS, Dublin from January 8th – 11th 2014.  Students are being urged to get their entries in by the 2nd October 2013 deadline.  For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com