FULL LIST: Nineteen projects from ten schools in Tipperary qualify for BT Young Scientist

BT Ireland has revealed the top themes emerging from the project entries for the 2024 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).

It has also been revealed that nineteen projects from ten schools in Tipperary qualified for the finals of the prestigious competition.

The data shows that secondary school students from across the island of Ireland are interested in learning more about AI, diversity & inclusion and mental health. This January, 550 projects and hundreds of students will represent their school and community at the 2024 BTYSTE.

Of all the submissions for the 2024 exhibition, the most common project titles are focused on health (16%); mental, menstrual, sleep, medicine, ageing, behaviour.

Mental health project entries covered a broad range of topics, such as beauty standards, sports performance, exercise and sleep. 2% of all entries specifically investigated the health and environmental implications of vaping, which suggests the awareness and concerns of young people around vaping.

AI accounted for 4% of all entries, with projects looking at how programmes such as Chat GPT can be used effectively in education and health.

Diversity & Inclusion was another topic of interest for students this year.

Of all entries, 3% focus on developing apps and technology to help improve the daily lives of those with physical disabilities.

Neurodiversity (autism, in particular) was another emerging theme, suggesting growing interest from young people in the ways that technology can improve the lives of neurodivergent people.

Similar to previous years, the environment continues to be a strong trend within entries, with 11% of all projects covering the topic, from ways to become more sustainable, to environmentally friendly farming practices, microplastics, natural fertilisers and even fast fashion.

Young peoples’ interest in sport remains high, with 9% of projects investigating topics ranging from sports injuries to performance, as well as the use of technology within sports, gender, and mental health. Furthermore 6% of all projects also delve into education, investigating areas from mental health to academic success, innovation, and the use of apps and devices within classrooms and learning environments.

Schools who entered the 2024 BTYSTE were notified of results on Wednesday, 25 October, 2023.

From January 10 to 13, hundreds of students will showcase their innovative ideas in the areas of Social & Behavioural Sciences, Technology, Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Biological & Ecological Sciences, and a brand-new category being introduced for 2024, Health and Wellbeing.

The 60th BTYSTE will take place from January 10-13, 2024.

Full list below: 

Health &Wellbeing

Group

Borrisokane Community College

Study of the impacts vapes have on teenagers

Health & Wellbeing

Can rooks predict the weather; an investigation into the behaviour of rooks before weather events

Biological & Ecological

Individual

Do lunar phases impact melatonin levels in a child with autism

Social & Behavioural Sciences

An investigation into your socioeconomic background and how it impacts your choice on part-time work when in full-time second-level education.

An investigation into a young person’s gambling journey

CBS Thurles

A statistical analysis of the wheelchair accessibility of different towns and a survey of public attitudes and awareness.

Cashel Community School

“HURRY UP AND LEAF”- an investigation of accelerating of decomposition of leaves on a lawn

Cistercian College

A new form of water safety

Technology

Does soil type, location and topography impact the quality of malting barley?

Comeragh College

WAVE VIEW: A novel approach to the improvement of quality of life for the visually impaired.

Crime Scene Glow

Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences

Presentation Secondary School Thurles

The Psychology behind Sexist Behaviour towards Females and all those who identify as Women

Artificial Intelligence and Education, how does this have an impact on today’s generation?

Rockwell College

A Statistical Analysis into Students’ Attitudes Towards Sex Education in Irish Secondary Schools

St Joseph’s College

An investigation into the reliability of weather apps and inability of AI to use historical weather data.

St Anne’s Secondary School

AI vs Humans- An investigation into the difference in work produced by AI compared to students.

The ChatGPT Gamble: Can AI Forecast Sporting Event Winners?

St Mary’s Secondary School Newport

The enablers and barriers to breastfeeding mothers return to competitive camogie

An investigation into how the changes in duration of school lunchtime has affects students activity levels between 9 and 4 o’ clock