The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is a remarkable institution and an achievement of which participants, judges and sponsors should be rightly proud. Each year it produces surprising and exceptional projects that are complex enough to dumbfound even the most experienced academics who contribute their time as judges.
The RDS has served for decades as the exhibition's home and can barely contain the energy generated by the students. The challenge is to find a way of harnessing this enthusiasm to help turn these young scientists into the researchers of the future.
This year's winner, Aisling Judge of Kinsale Community School, is a worthy recipient of the top prize for her project on food safety. The judges were impressed with the uniqueness of her idea and the scientific approach applied to its development, particularly as, at 14 years of age, she is the youngest Young Scientist in the event's 42- year history.
The exhibition also reflects Ireland's growing multiculturalism. Students from Pakistan, India and Romania were among the recipients of the top four prizes. Many other cultures were also represented in the event. One can only hope that these new Irish remain with us and apply their considerable talents in helping to build a knowledge-based economic future.
The creation of the next generation of scientists is in a sense what the Young Scientist Exhibition is actually about. It gives participants the chance to learn, explore and express themselves. Students are required to engage in real science and to work long and hard on their projects. They are judged and present their findings in the best possible environment - among their peers, fellow young scientists with an interest in maths, the pure sciences, biology and social sciences. The exhibition affords them a chance to experience the excitement of discovery and recognise the creativity inherent in the conduct of science.
Young people are naturally curious and so readily embrace the discovery process that is science. Whether this will encourage them to pursue careers in research will very much depend on our educational system.
It is easy to criticise this system and to dismiss it as thwarting interest in the sciences. But it is important to note the great support given to youngsters by their teachers, helping them to design and undertake research and analyse and present it. Indeed, it is difficult sometimes to know who is more enthusiastic, the students or their mentors.