Paul Finnerty, CEO of APB Food Group, presents the APB Award to Katie Garrett and Jacinta Kelly of Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Crossmolina, at the 51st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in January.Photo: Fennell Photography

Stem high on the agenda in mayo schools

MAYO has been commended by organisers of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition as it was revealed that over the past five years, 74% of secondary schools have participated in the exhibition, which is Ireland’s premier science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) event for schools.

In that time, participating Mayo students have returned home with a total of 21 awards, confirming the high calibre of entries submitted across the county each year.

BT unveiled the statistics as it called on students across Mayo to submit an entry to the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Now in its 52nd year, the exhibition is synonymous with offering young people a platform from which they can explore and discover the world they live in through the subjects of technology, social and behavioural science, biological and ecological science or chemical, physical and mathematical science. Many participants of the exhibition have gone on to achieve great success in their careers, both at home and across the globe.

Mari Cahalane, head of the BT Young Scientist, said: “There are fantastic benefits to taking part in in the event and in addition to the experience of bringing an idea to life, students will also have the opportunity to compete for one of over 120 awards, including cash prizes, international trips and the overall title of BT Young Scientist & Technologist(s) of the Year. I sincerely hope that Mayo schools will now set the challenge to increase their record of success for 2016.”

Students can enter either as an individual or a group (of up to three students) by initially submitting a one-page proposal outlining their project idea before the closing date of Tuesday, September 29. Students will be notified by the end of the October 2015 if their project has been shortlisted for the 52nd BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, which will take place in the RDS, Dublin from January 6 to 9 next year.

For more information on the exhibition and details on how to enter plus grants for participating schools, log on to www.btyoungscientist.com.