BT Young Scientist Exhibition gets stamp of approval

An post has issued a commemorative stamp to honour the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Now in its 51st year, the event in Dublin will see almost 1,200 students and up to 50,000 visitors come through the doors of the RDS over the next four days.

There will be 550 projects on display this year, with the students’ research findings covering an amazing a range of scientific and social subjects.

The event also includes a line-up of live shows including the Roney & Joe Science Show, Stellar adventures and the Belfast-based W5's Light Fantastic Show, all aiming to illustrate the lighter side of science.

Stamp of approval

The stamp shows a picture of a rocket, something which reflects the scientific side of the Young Scientist but also points to the history of the event.

The exhibition began in 1965 after two UCD scientists, Fr Tom Burke and Dr Tony Scott, watched a rocket launch at a science fair in New Mexico in the US. They brought the idea of a fair home with them, and so the exhibition was born and has continued without interruption for 51 years. It is now one of the largest events of its kind in the world given the numbers of students involved and the thousands of visitors who will visit the exhibition from Thursday through Saturday.

Dublin students were setting up their stands on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning morning all other students will arrive at the RDS to set up their projects.

Titan the robot

The event will be declared open on Wednesday afternoon in a presentation hosted by TG4’s Róisín ní Thomain and broadcaster Aidan Power. Titan the giant android robot will also lend a hand.

Judging of stands will get underway tomorrow afternoon, a three day process that will result in the announcement early Friday evening of the top project and the 2015 Young Scientist of the Year.

The doors open for visitors on Wednesday morning. Find out more about the exhibition here.

There is also a free Apple and Android app available that will help visitors find projects and navigate the exhibition. Click here for the Apple site and the Android version is available on PlayStore.