THE FORMAL launch of the 2010 BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition proved a hair-raising affair, with a highly charged atmosphere that was enough to put your hair on end, writes DICK AHLSTROMScience Editor
The parlous state of the economy was not – for a change – providing the electricity but rather a Van de Graaff machine, used to deliver all the static needed to announce details of the popular event, now in its 45th year.
The object was to encourage as many students to take part as possible. Last January’s event saw record numbers of entries, with Co Cork students John O’Callaghan and Liam McCarthy winning the €5,000 first prize and the title as Young Scientists for 2009.
The exhibition usually accommodates 500 projects, but many more are entered than actually make it through the pre-selection process. The 2009 event saw a record 1,616 entries, work that involved the research efforts of no fewer than 3,712 students North and South.
The 2010 exhibition places a particular emphasis on developing Ireland’s knowledge economy, according to BT Ireland chief executive Chris Clark. This will be BT’s 10th year as main sponsor for the Young Scientist, involving an investment of €5 million.
The exhibition was a “brilliant example” of what could be achieved when the private and public sectors worked together, he said.
The goal was “to nurture our young students’ interest in the sciences and technology, the skills that we require to secure a prosperous future”.
The exhibition takes place in the Main Hall, RDS, Dublin from January 12th-16th, 2010. Information on the event and how to enter a project is available at www.btyoungscientist.ie or by telephone on 1800-924362.