Some 1,000 young scientists from all over Ireland will descend upon the RDS today for the 2003 Esat BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
Sponsors Esat BT are expecting 478 exhibits today from 29 counties in the largest number of entrants since the competition began 39 years ago.
A huge marketing push to include Northern schools resulted in 32 entrants from the North. "We wanted to include Northern students so it has paid off slowly. Interest is growing in the young scientist competition up North," said a spokesperson for Esat BT last night.
The four categories are technology; social and behavioural sciences; biological and ecological sciences; and chemical, physical and mathematical sciences.
Social and behavioural sciences traditionally receives the largest number of exhibits.
Dublin entrants spent yesterday setting up their projects at the RDS, and the remaining schools from the rest of Ireland will arrive from 9 a.m. today.
Preliminary judging begins at 2.30 p.m. this afternoon, when 63 judges will examine the exhibits and question students about their concepts and how they set about proving or disproving their theories.
The number of exhibits going through to the second round usually depends upon the calibre of entrants and can vary between 200 and 50 in any given year, says Esat BT.
The judges are from all walks of life, but usually include teachers, lecturers and industrial experts.
If the judges doubt any theories they can call in outside experts.
Two years ago a mathematician from the University of California was called in to examine a mathematical theory, such was the complexity of the project.
The overall winner will be announced on Friday.
As well as the student exhibits, many large multinational companies have highly-interactive stands, and there is even a robot arena with "massive robot displays". The RDS is opening its doors to the public from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily from Thursday to Saturday.
Tickets cost €8 for adults, €4 for students and senior citizens. A family ticket will cost €20.