Historic high as 50th BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition receives a record number of entries

50 per cent of secondary schools have entered a project

BT Ireland has today announced that it has broken all previous records for entries to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The 50th competition, taking place in January 2014, is set to be the biggest ever with 2,000 ideas submitted by 4,418 students from across 32 counties.50 per cent of secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland have entered a project for the milestone year.

BT, which has organised the exhibition for 14 years, has significantly evolved the exhibition every year to engage as many young people as possible in the key areas of science, technology, engineering, maths, innovation and commercialisation.  Major progress has been made over the past fourteen years including: a tripling of project entries; a new commercialisation boot camp; a financial bursary to assist participating schools; and a growing array of science and technology exhibits, events and special acts that attract thousands of visitors.

The 2014 entries at a glance:

• 2,000 entries received, spanning 32 counties
• 4,418 students
• 379 schools represented
• Number of entries per category:
• Biological & Ecological Sciences: 574
• Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences: 350
• Social & Behavioural Sciences: 701
• Technology: 375

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., said: “In its 50th year, the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is breaking new records with figures up for participating students and schools, as well as an increase in entries in key categories such as chemical, physical and mathematical sciences. The importance of investment in research and innovation to our economy cannot be underestimated, and I commend everyone involved in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for providing a platform for young people to showcase their creative ideas on both national and international stages.”

Colm O’Neill, CEO, BT Ireland said, “Investment in science and technology has continued to serve Ireland well and as a country we need to ensure we have the talent to sustain and grow these valuable sectors.”

“We are delighted that the exhibition, 50 years on, is so compelling that 50 per cent of secondary schools have entered a project.  I would like to thank the students, their teachers and parents, and our partners such as the Department of Education & Skills, for being key elements in what is truly a great Irish success story.”

BT estimates that, over the past 50 years, almost 70,000 students have submitted more than 33,000 projects to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.  In recent years BT has noted an increase in the number of students creating commercially-viable projects and demonstrating entrepreneurial flair.

The 50th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS, Dublin from January 8th – 11th 2014. There are over 120 awards including the overall BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year. In addition, BT offers over 30 participating students the opportunity to take part in the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp, an intensive commercialisation skills programme.

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is organised by BT Ireland, and is supported by a number of valued partners including the Department of Education & Skills, Analog Devices, Elan, Intel, and RTE.  More than 250 BT employees will help to deliver the 2014 exhibition.