Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told entrants in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS to “think maths, think technology” when filling in CAO forms.
Mr Kenny said multi-national companies regularly told the Government they had jobs in these areas that they cannot fill.
He said it was the Government’s intention that science would become a core subject of the new junior cycle curriculum.
“At senior cycle, Government is currently working on revised syllabi for physics, chemistry and biology.”
He said the revised syllabi would develop “problem-solving, critical thinking, team-work and collaboration”.
The launch ceremony included performances the Little Big Top Circus jugglers and from rock band Being 747, whose musical performance, Amoeba to Zebra helped to explain the entire natural history of the earth.
More than 1,200 students descended on the Main Hall today to take part in the 48th annual exhibition, each harbouring hopes of being declared the Young Scientist of the year 2012 and taking home the top prize worth €5,000.
This is the largest exhibition yet with 550 exhibitor stands. These in turn were selected from more than 1,700 projects entered for the competition so all those taking part already know that they have delivered projects ranked in the top third of all those submitted.
The panel of judges, made up of scientists and teachers, started work immediately after the opening ceremony.
The judges will complete their interviews with students on Friday morning and then enter a closed session where the next young scientist will be selected.
There will be plenty for the students to do when not being quizzed by the judges. Nasa astronaut Dan Tani will be on hand on Friday to talk to the students about life in space.
There is a substantial display exhibition underway to the rear of the Main Hall where students can attend workshops on coding by the Coder Dojo and watch science experiments staged by the W5 group from Belfast.
The winner will be announced on Friday evening and the exhibition runs until Saturday evening.
Those visiting the exhibition will be able to meet the top four prize winning entries including best individual, best group and runner up individual and group.
Tickets for the event cost €6 for students, €12 or adults and family passes are €25.
For more information visit btyoungscientist.com and follow the Twitter hash tag #btyste.