STUDENT SCIENTISTS from across Ireland descend on the RDS in Dublin this morning as the 2009 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition gets under way. President Mary McAleese will be on hand to launch the event, now in its 45th year.
The 2009 exhibition includes 500 group and individual projects submitted in four subject areas and three age categories. These projects were pre-selected from a record number of entries, 1,616 projects which involved work done by 3,712 students.
The exhibition is the largest event of its kind in Europe and is one of the longest-running science fairs in the world. Students have completed research projects in four areas: biological and ecological sciences; chemical, physical and mathematical sciences; social and behavioural sciences; and technology.
All will be hoping to capture the top prize as individual or group young scientist for 2009, an achievement that attracts a trophy, a cheque for €5,000 and a chance to represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists to be held later this year in Paris.
The four key awards including two runners-up prizes carry a combined value of €11,000. There are also 72 smaller cash prizes for category winners in the junior, intermediate and senior categories and a number of valuable international travel prizes presented by companies such as Intel and Analog Devices.
The RDS Main Hall has been transformed for the event, and the BT Arena set up for the opening and closing ceremonies and also for presentations taking place during the next four days.
Dublin-based students began arriving yesterday afternoon to put up their displays, but most of the students will arrive and register this morning.
The event's official launch by Mrs McAleese will be followed this afternoon by the first of four judging rounds.
Students will have a chance to explain their work to the judges, who volunteer their time for this important task.
There are plenty of other attractions to keep the students and visitors busy during the exhibition.
The BT Arena will see regular performances by "mathemagician" Andrew Jeffery, who provided a preview of his show yesterday afternoon. He will perform magical mathematical tricks and may have to demonstrate long division by sawing students and teachers in half on stage.
Titan, the eight-foot-tall robot, will perform in the BT Arena, and the students will appreciate the "Go Play Teen Zone" a "playground" that will challenge their wits as well as providing physical exercise.
It combines electronic gaming with activities to promote a healthy body and mind.
They will also be impressed with the "Globe of Death", which will see motorbikes roaring around inside a five-metre-high steel sphere, providing a hair-raising demonstration of the power of centrifugal force.
"Students this week will showcase their ingenuity, creativity and passion for the sciences, technology, engineering and maths. I'd encourage people to visit us at the RDS to experience the biggest and best exhibition yet, and to meet the bright young minds that will be the leaders of the future," said Chris Clark, chief executive of BT.
The exhibition opens to the public on Thursday morning at 9.30am and remains open until Saturday evening. Student and concession tickets cost €6 and adult tickets are €12. Family tickets for two adults and three children are available for €30.
Group tickets of 20 or more for secondary school parties cost €4.50 per student and primary school groups cost €4 per ticket. Teachers accompanying student groups attend for free.
More information about the exhibition is available at dedicated website www.btyoungscientist.ie or by phone on 1800-924-362 or in Northern Ireland on 0800-917-1297.