THE winner of this year's Aer Lingus Young Scientist of the Year award will be announced today.
More than 260 projects submitted by 535 second level students are in competition for the overall prize, which includes £1,000, a trophy and the chance to represent Ireland at the European Union Science Contest in Milan.
Ireland's record in the EU contest, which brings together the best projects from more than 10,000 European entrants, is impressive. The winners of the overall Aer Lingus Young Scientist award have won first prize in the EU competition every year since 1991.
The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Pat Rabbitte, who visited the exhibition yesterday, said he was "stunned" at the sheer scale of the work undertaken.
"It confirms that most of these young people know a great deal more about science than the Minister does," said Mr Rabbitte.
Mr Rabbitte's only concern was the representation of projects from lower socio economic areas. He said he had a "slightly worrying" impression that the entries were "too restricted" in terms of socioeconomic make up and said there were lessons to be learned regarding resources and the concentration on science and maths subjects in these areas.
The chairman of the judging panel, Mr Seamus Kearney, praised the quality of this year's entrants and the enthusiasm of the students, the teachers and the judges.
"The judges are particularly pleased with the innovation displayed, the innovative approach to ideas that sparked the projects and the commercial applications.
The Young Scientist Exhibition will be officially opened at 5 p.m. today by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton. The awards ceremony will take place immediately afterwards.