Donegal students offer a unique range of projects for major science event

Forty-five students from nine schools throughout Donegal are settling in at Dublin’s RDS this afternoon for the 59th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).

The prestigious event, which showcases research and innovation in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), will be in person this year for the first time since 2020, following two successful virtual exhibitions. 

At the heart of the exhibition are the 550 projects from 212 schools. The exhibition is much more than a competition – it is the experience of a lifetime for the students and teachers who take part.

Designed to raise schools’ engagement in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), the Exhibition calls upon students aged 12-19 years from all over the island of Ireland to showcase innovative science and technology projects. 

The Donegal projects in English and Irish cover a range of topics in the senior, intermediate and junior sections of the Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Technology, Biological and Ecological and Social and Behavioural Sciences categories from the following Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny; Moville Community College; Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town; St Columba's Comprehensive School, Glenties; Loreto Community School, Milford; Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair; Coláiste Cholmcille Ballyshannon; Carndonagh Community School and the Rosses Community School, Dungloe.

Their project subject matter is diverse and quiet novel as it ranges from the possibility and profitability of introducing Donegal to the Irish national rail network to service a social, economical and environmental need to how boys view the female role in society, a statistical analysis into age and gender of drownings in Ireland and to raise awareness around water safety. to the seasonal variation in the antimicrobial activity of native Irish seaweeds

Organised by BT Ireland, the exhibition has become one of the leading school STEM exhibitions in Europe, attracting over 100,000 student participants since the first event in 1965. 

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins will officially open the 2023 exhibition tomorrow, Wednesday at a special ceremony for the students, teachers, and exhibition partners. The ceremony will also be streamed live on the BTYSTE website and on Facebook Live from 2pm.

The exhibition opens to the public on Thursday, January 12 until Saturday, January 14 when a fantastic festival of science can be experienced alongside the brilliant student projects on display.  

Tickets can be purchased online or at the venue. Visitors can plan their visit to the RDS in advance by downloading the free BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition app, available on Android and Apple devices.

Full of helpful information, the app includes an exhibition map, a search tool for student projects and exhibitors, a schedule of events, as well as links to the BTYSTE social networks for live updates throughout the event.