Final judging underway at the Young Scientist Exhibition

A nervous wait lies ahead for students across Ireland gathered at Dublin's RDS as final judging gets underway ahead of the announcement tonight of the 2009 BT Young Scientist of the year.

Twelve months ago Kerry student Emer Jones became the youngest ever winner in the history of the 45-year-old event and went on to take second place in the European equivalent in Copenhagen for her project on "Research and Development of Emergency Sandbag Shelters".

3,712 students are represented in the 1,616 projects in 31 counties across Ireland which includes a 25% increase in the number of projects from the North.

The overall winner will be crowned at a gala ceremony this evening and will receive a Waterford Crystal trophy together with a cheque for €5,000.

The winner will also get the opportunity to represent Ireland in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in September 2009.