– Climate Change Expected To Be Issue for Students
Belfast, Thursday 22nd June 2007: With climate change at the forefront of the minds of weathermen, politicians and concerned citizens’ alike, it is no surprise that our secondary school students are beginning to ask questions. What will the world be like when they are adults? What will it be like for their children and their children’s children?
Presentations on Climate Change will be just some of the special attractions at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2008. Details were announced today of the forthcoming exhibition along with a call to action from organising sponsors BT to encourage Northern Ireland students to think about their project topics now and to start working on them during the summer months.
Global warming and widespread drought? Snow in June? Warm sunshine in January? Heatwaves in March and torrential rain in July? Will Northern Ireland one day see major hurricanes and tidal waves? These questions and many more are being asked on the global stage as well as at home. The students entering the exhibition are very aware of the environment around them and have major concerns about what the future holds for them. Consequently it is expected that there will be an increase in the number of projects entered this year.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Education, CaitrÃona Ruane, MLA, said, “This competition is a great success story in terms of encouraging girls and boys to enjoy science and technology. It is very well established as a showcase of talent, creativity, and enterprise.
“The competition gives students an invaluable opportunity to learn more about the world of science and technology and to have fun; I encourage every student in the North to think seriously about entering. It is a great occasion to meet students from all over Ireland and to exchange ideas. It also offers great opportunities for the future for those who go on and win the competition.â€
Peter Morris, Head of Consumer, BT in Northern Ireland said, “The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition represents a major commitment not only to the education of our young people, but also to the successful economic future of the island.
“We would like to take the opportunity to call upon schools, especially those that have never entered the competition or haven’t done so for a number of years, to encourage students to decide on a project and to start work on it over the summer months. The originality and quality of the projects entered into Young Scientist never ceases to amaze, and this year we look forward to seeing an increase in the number of entries from the North,†he added.
This is the 44th year of the exhibition which is the biggest of its kind in Europe. Plans are already afoot to stage another visually dramatic and interactive exhibition for both exhibitors and visitors to enjoy.
Participating schools in Northern Ireland can now apply for a grant scheme under which BT will assist in students’ accommodation costs. Projects from those schools that qualify to compete in the exhibition may be awarded either £70 for an individual entry or £140 for a group entry, subject to a maximum grant of £700 per school and other applicable terms.
Now is the time for students to begin putting those thinking caps on. The summer break offers students the perfect opportunity to select and start work on a project topic. The closing date for entries is 5th October 2007.
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2008 will take place in the RDS, Dublin 4, from 8th – 12th January 2008. For more information, please visit www.btyoungscientist.ie or call 0800 917 1297.