The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has broken all records with 1,616 projects entered into the 2009 exhibition, including 11 entries from Westmeath.
The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition aims to build ingenuity, creativity, and excitement amongst students and to help them to understand the importance and relevance of the sciences in their everyday lives, while fostering the very skills that are essential for building a knowledge economy and the future prosperity of the island.
Some 3,712 students are represented in the 1,616 projects entered from 32 counties across the island, which includes a 25 per cent increase in the number of projects from Northern Ireland.
500 of the projects submitted have now qualified to compete in the finals in the RDS in Dublin next January and Westmeath will be represented by a total of 11 projects across the categories. There are two projects from St Josephs College, Summerhill; two from Moate Community School; three from the Marist College; two from Our Lady's Bower, Athlone; one from Athlone Community College; and one project from Colaiste Mhuire, Athlone.
The overall winner will be crowned BT Young Scientist of the Year and will receive a Waterford Crystal trophy together with a cheque for €5,000. The winner will also have the opportunity to represent Ireland in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in September 2009.
The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition will be held in the RDS, Dublin from January 6 to 10, 2009. For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com or call 1800 924 362.
