O'Keeffe hails creativity, innovation of students

MINISTER'S VISIT:MINISTER FOR Education and Science Batt O'Keeffe has praised students for the "innovation and creativity" shown in projects at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, under way at the RDS in Dublin.

“It showed that the teachers and the schools are applying the knowledge economy,” he said yesterday during a visit to the exhibition. He visited a large number of stands and talked to the students about their projects.

“You see that some schools put a real emphasis on science. That augurs well,” he said. He also said he was “anxious that schools give every opportunity during a time of recession” to allow new young teachers to take up positions and allow them to show what they can do.

The Government had committed €150 million over three years to bringing both very fast broadband and new computers to every school in Ireland. “We are going to continue to invest over the next few years,” he said. He said it was important that students be encouraged to take an increased interest in the sciences and mathematics, particularly at junior level.

An awards ceremony at the RDS this evening will see the announcement of all the category and section prizes along with the top four awards including that for the Young Scientist of 2010. The top prize is worth €5,000 and entitles the winner or winners to participate in next autumn’s European Young Scientist Competition.

The exhibition stays open until later this afternoon and all day Saturday. Family tickets cost €25 and adult tickets are €12. Students and concessions are €6.