The Christmas break is a time particularly welcomed by second-level students who get to rest their nerves after the great tribulation - otherwise known as end-of-term exams. But for those competing in the Young Scientist of the Year, sleepless nights are no doubt still in store.
The Esat BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition takes place between January 6th and 10th next year and marks the 40th year of the competition.
All previous winners - stretching back to 1965 - will be in attendance at the event and a gala dinner will be held in their honour.
Mr Bill Murphy, chief executive of Esat BT and BT Northern Ireland said: "This year 1,046 students will compete in the Young Scientist Exhibition which is overwhelming in comparison to 1965 when 230 students took part in the first ever exhibition."
All projects in the current competition have been through the preliminary judging stage with 482 projects short-listed to appear in the finals.
Exhibit categories are: Chemical, Physical and Mathematical; Biological and Ecological Sciences; Technology and Social and Behavioural Sciences.
Winners and first and second runners-up will be awarded in each category with a grand prize of €3,000, a perpetual trophy and the prestigious title of Young Scientist of the Year given to the outstanding contestant.
The winner will also go forward to the European Union Contest for Young Scientists.
- The exhibition is open to exhibiting students from Tuesday, 6th January and will welcome the public from Thursday 8th — Saturday 10th January 2004.