Next year’s Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will be sponsored by BT Ireland for the ninth straight year. The telecoms provider has announced a new sponsorship package worth €1.5 m over the next three years.
The competition, now in its 42nd year, will benefit from a larger prize fund. The BT Young Scientist(s) of the Year 2006 will now receive €5,000 along with the Young Scientist Waterford Crystal Trophy, plus the chance to represent Ireland at the EU Young Scientists competition. The best individual or group project will now receive €2,000 and the runner-up individual and group €1,000 respectively.
Other developments planned by BT include the launch of a grant scheme to assist those schools from across the island that incur accommodation costs in Dublin during competition week and a proposal to subsidise lunches for participating students.
“This competition is one of the great success stories in the field of science and technology education. It has truly become a showcase of talent, creativity and enterprise,” said Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin TD. “The competition gives students an invaluable opportunity to learn more about the world of science and to develop their skills in the areas of research and presentation. The competition is also an opportunity for students from all over Ireland to meet each other and exchange ideas.”
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2006 will involve the largest number of competing students in its history from across the island of Ireland. A further 20 student exhibition stands will be added to the event, increasing the total number of projects taking part in the finals to 500.
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will be held in the RDS, Dublin in January 2006. In line with the rebranding of the company to BT, the web address has been changed to www.btyoungscientist.ie.
By Brian Skelly
