Search is on for next young Einstein

THE first of hundreds of entrants in this year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition have been setting up their wares before the fun and excitement of the competition begins.

Students from Dublin schools were first on site at the RDS to put their posters and projects on display for the judges, who today begin the arduous task of selecting this year’s winners.

Those from the rest of the country, including schools in the North, arrive today and all projects will be ready for inspection by judges.

The doors open to the public tomorrow and organisers expect more than 36,000 people to visit the exhibition up to the close of business on Saturday evening, with guest of honour President Mary McAleese among the first to tour the exhibition hall this morning.

Among the projects selected for judging, the topics range from computer games that address bullying to an examination of the stock exchange, from improving mucus detachment in cystic fibrosis sufferers to investigating the water-heating power of animal waste.

The biggest excitement will be felt by participants when the 2009 winners are announced and prizes are presented by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe on Friday evening.

The overall winner or winners (it could be an individual or a team entry) will take home a cheque for €5,000, a trophy and the honour of representing Ireland at the EU Contest for Young Scientists in September.

If the overall winner is an individual, a best group prize will be awarded (or vice-versa), with €2,400 and a trophy being presented. Runner-up prizes of €1,200 each will be given to one individual and one group.

More than 20 other privately sponsored awards will be given for special interest categories, while a number of teachers will also be recognised for their commitment to science education in their schools.

The number of entries hit a peak again this year, with the 1,600-plus entries being whittled down to 500 projects.

* Public admission charges range from €6 for students or concession admissions to €12 for adults and a €30 family ticket allows entry for two adults and three children.

School groups of 20 or more students will be charged €4.50 per student for second-level groups and €4 per pupil for those from primary schools, with free entry for accompanying teachers.