Education Minister congratulates science students in Belfast

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has congratulated those schools who have entered the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2010.

Speaking at a reception for the north of Ireland entrants, the Minister said: "I have been privileged to have been involved in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition since becoming Education Minister.  It is one of the largest and longest running exhibitions of its kind in Europe, has become a national institution in Ireland and is recognised worldwide

"It enables our young people to participate in scientific learning experiences away from the classroom.  It helps them understand, learn from, and experience the different aspects of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by exploring the unlimited potentials of these subjects and meet with their counterparts across Ireland.

"This year we have seen a massive 66% increase in entries from schools across the north with 50% of those schools making it through to the finals in January. This is a fantastic achievement and my congratulations go to those pupils and their teachers for their time and effort in putting together their entries.

"I am looking forward to attending the exhibition in January and I am honoured to have been asked to present the first ever specific award for the best entry from the north of Ireland."

Commenting Peter Morris, Consumer Director, BT said: "Increasingly over our 10 years as organiser and sponsor of this exhibition, we've encouraged schools to understand the potential of STEM skills to their future and that of the island of Ireland, and we are delighted this year to see the number of local entries soar by 66%.  We would like to thank the Department of Education for the support it has provided in helping to drive this awareness and interest."

"We are now really looking forward to the exhibition next month.  Faced with the challenges of the harsh economic climate over the past 18 months, it is truly uplifting to be immersed in the world of our young people for one week and be inspired by their enthusiasm, optimism, and solutions-based approach.  We would really encourage people to visit and be part of the experience."

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2010 has seen a total of 1,586 entries for the 2010 competition with 83 entries from the north of Ireland. Of the 520 entries that have qualified to compete in the finals at the RDS, Dublin in January 2010, 42 are from the north.

During the reception the Minister also invited the schools to experience the STEM Truck which was unveiled by the Minister in September 2009.

The Minister continued: "It is also great to have the STEM Truck here at Parliament Buildings for each of you to visit. This truck is designed to bring high quality learning experiences to our young people and provide a showcase for developing innovative approaches to learning and teaching in STEM subjects."

The 58 metre squared STEM Module/Truck is a mobile laboratory and workshop and provides an interactive workspace with interchangeable teaching resources, allowing it to transform from a biology laboratory one day into an engineering workshop the next.

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