BT Young Scientist & Technology expo returns to in-person event for 2023

Students encouraged to ‘get thinking caps on’ ahead of official call for entries

Hallie O’Hara (12), Oisin Dutton (15) and  Jake Shanley (13) pictured at the launch of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2023. Photograph: Fennell Photography
Hallie O’Hara (12), Oisin Dutton (15) and Jake Shanley (13) pictured at the launch of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2023. Photograph: Fennell Photography

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) is to return as an in-person event in January 2023 at the RDS, its spiritual home.

After two years of virtual exhibitions due to Covid, one of Europe’s biggest showcases for young STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) talent will be staged in Dublin from January 10th to 14th.

Once again it will bring science and technology to life with amazing student projects, spectacular exhibits, influential guest speakers, and immersive displays, according to the organisers.

Jake Shanley (13) getting ready for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2023. Photograph: Fennell Photography
Jake Shanley (13) getting ready for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2023. Photograph: Fennell Photography

“Now in its 59th year, it will throw open its doors to students, from across the island of Ireland, blazing a trail with their creative takes on STEM,” said BTYSTE head Mari Cahalane.

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“As one of Europe’s longest running science competitions, the BTYSTE is proud of its fantastic alumni, many of whom have gone on to do remarkable things – from setting up tech unicorns, to breaking new ground in scientific discovery, to moulding the minds of future young scientists.”

She underlined the value of the exhibition in giving students and teachers the chance to work on projects that move science and technology beyond the classroom and into the real world.

Applications for the BTYSTE 2023 close in late September and BT Ireland is encouraging students across Ireland to get their thinking caps on to be in with a chance of featuring at the exhibition.

Participating students will be in the running to win for more than 200 prizes across four categories and age groups. The overall winners will receive the top prize of €7,500 and go represent Ireland at the prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), where Ireland has won 16 first place prizes over the past 32 years.

Speaking at the 2023 launch, BT Ireland managing director Shay Walsh said: “The buzz and excitement of the live exhibition is second to none, so we’re thrilled to be bringing everyone back together after two successful virtual exhibitions.”

“This national institution, one of the finest STEM exhibitions in Europe, will enable thousands of students to reconnect, and to present their ideas for addressing some of the major challenges the world faces.”

The winners of the 2022 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition,   Aditya Joshi, aged 15 (left) and Aditya Kumar, aged 16 (right),  students at  Synge Street, Dublin, took  home the top prize for a project entitled A New Method of Solving the Bernoulli Quadrisection Problem. Photograph:  Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography
The winners of the 2022 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, Aditya Joshi, aged 15 (left) and Aditya Kumar, aged 16 (right), students at Synge Street, Dublin, took home the top prize for a project entitled A New Method of Solving the Bernoulli Quadrisection Problem. Photograph: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography

2022 winners Aditya Joshi and Aditya Kumar from Synge Street CBS, Dublin said: “We would really encourage anyone with an interest in science and technology to take part. Winning it was a fantastic experience for us both and we were so proud to receive the overall top prize for our project, a new method of solving the Bernoulli Quadrisection Problem.”

Entries must be from second-level students aged between 12 and 19 years. To enter, an individual or group must submit a one-page proposal outlining their project idea. Entries can be made in any one of four categories: technology; social and behavioural science, biological and ecological science, and chemical, physical, and mathematical science

Full details of the 2023 BTYSTE are available at www.btyoungscientist.com

Kevin O'Sullivan

Kevin O'Sullivan

Kevin O'Sullivan is Environment and Science Editor and former editor of The Irish Times