Pupils’ tech interest hits new heights

Student interest in technology appears to be reaching new heights as record entries have been received for the annual schools’ science and technology fair.

Almost 1,900 projects, up from fewer than 1,750 a year ago, have been received from 4,189 students in 32 counties.

But almost one-quarter more projects than were entered this time last year in the technology section have been submitted. The 370 entries in this category include many from teenagers who have developed smartphone apps, computer software, and many other innovations.

The organisers have whittled down the 1,879 entries to around 550 which will be included in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, to be held at the RDS in Dublin during the second week of January.

There, the selected students will face the rigorous examinations of the judges, and will be hoping to emulate the achievements of this year’s overall winners.

In September, as this year’s entrants were finalising their submissions, Dublin students Eric Doyle and Mark Kelly claimed one of the three top prizes at the EU Contest for Young Scientists in Slovakia.

The mathematical formula they devised won them the top prize in the RDS last January and could have a range of uses, including benefits for the use of satellites hovering above the earth.

Almost 700 of the 2013 entries are in the social and behavioural sciences category, and more than 500 projects have been submitted under the biological and ecological sciences heading. Just over 300 fall into the chemical, physical, and mathematical sciences category, fewer than last year despite numerous efforts to get young people more engaged with science and maths at school.

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn is nonetheless pleased at the overall entry levels, as the exhibition continues to break new records for the number of projects entered and competing schools.

“Research and innovation are critically important to our economy, and I commend everyone involved in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for providing a platform to stimulate and showcase Ireland’s talent both on a national and international stage,” he said.

More than 150 BT Ireland employees work on the event, now in its 49th year, and chief executive Colm O’Neill said they look forward to hearing young people’s solutions for a better future.