Not-so-young scientists to take part in exhibition

Dr Who isn't the only one with a time machine; there will be a new way to turn back the clock next January at the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition to be held at the RDS.. A new competition for "senior" entrants has opened as part of the 2016 event and should appeal to anyone who ever hankered to take part in the exhibition.

Senior in this case is actually anyone over 20, but in fact the BT Masters competition will consider all applicants whether aged 20 through 90 and above.

“We have seen so much emerging talent come through the RDS from secondary school students,” according to Shay Walsh, managing director of BT Ireland the main sponsor and organiser for the young scientist event, “ so we thought it would be a great idea to see how the adults would fare when asked to demonstrate their creativity with the critical Stem subjects.”

Project

Taking part involves the same procedures as for schoolgoing entrants, with the process starting as a one-page submission with a project idea.

The BT Masters programme will shortlist a number of these submissions and these individuals will be asked to develop a PowerPoint presentation on how they would pursue the research described in their project.

Successful shortlisted entrants will not be asked to sit at a young scientist stand or carry out actual research, but they will be grilled by judges on the Wednesday, the second day of the five-day event. The winner will be announced the following morning.

There is an incentive for those who take part. Aside from the notoriety of becoming the first winner of the BT Masters competition, there is a €1,000 cash prize.

Entrants will have to choose a topic within the standard four young scientist categories and the initial one-pager must arrive by email on Friday November 27th to btmasters2016@gmail.com, with the winner announced on January 7th. Further information about terms and conditions is available at btyoungscientist.com/byste-masters