THE 2009 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition aims to increase exercise levels among teenagers by offering a new playground system fusing physical activity with digital technology at this year's event.
The annual fair will have a designated "Teen Zone", specifically designed to attract teenagers from the ages of 13 to 16. The area will blend the modern digital age with physical exertion by hosting two new playground attractions. Bloqx, a three-dimensional structure that is part sculpture and part climbing wall will debut in Ireland at the event, alongside the Icon, an interactive play device similar to digital gaming consoles.
Go Play, the company behind the equipment is attempting to recreate the concept of the traditional playground while still making it accessible to an older generation.
"Playgrounds are generally for children under the age of 12. This area will instead be called a 'zone' and is created especially for teenagers," said Go Play's managing director, Nuala Greenan.
The exhibition, which also has a section devoted to primary school students, expects the younger entrants to be the biggest supporters of the zone. "Teenagers are doing less and less exercise. This is why we are focusing specifically on them, because they are the age group that aren't taking the proper exercise they need," said Ms Greenan.
The largest group of students to enter the fair come from the intermediate level of the competition which primarily consists of transition year students. These students have been targeted for the new "Teen Zone" specifically for their familiarity with technological devices and the desire to encourage more exercise among their age group.
The digital age has certainly taken over this year's competition, with a record 90 per cent of the total 1,616 entries being submitted online.
"The more fresh air they get, the more innovative they will become, which is very important for an event such as this. That's our link to the exhibition; encouraging innovation with physical activity," argued Ms Greenan.
Along with introducing more physical activities, the competition is attempting to improve relations with schools in Northern Ireland. There have been a record number of entries from the North.
The Minister for Education in Northern Ireland, Caitríona Ruane, will be visiting during the exhibition's three-day duration, along with Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe, who will be presenting the awards.