Wednesday 11th Janaury, 2012
Introduction
Good afternoon everyone.
I’m delighted to launch this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Competition.
Someone down there must be working on a youth serum, because this competition is looking very good for its 48 years.
I just hope someone else is working on an apparatus for bi-location because I’m due back in Leinster House very soon for the first Dáil session of 2012.
However, the Young Scientist is something I just couldn’t miss.
The buzz as soon as you walk through the door.
The passion, the tenacity, the belief that went into making all of these projects today.
It was this very day in 1922 that insulin was first used to treat diabetes in humans.
I very much hope that some of the projects researched and exhibited here today will be the start of yet more ground-breaking discovery, innovation and application.
This is BT’s twelfth year sponsoring and organising the Exhibition.
In these straitened times I’m delighted that it will continue to do so for at least another two years.
And along with BT, we must thank also the 20 more ‘partner organisations’ who make this event happen.
Generosity is not a science, but it certainly gives youth and innovation their chance.
The Exhibition
The first exhibition was held in 1965.
The brainchild of two UCD physicists, Father Tom Burke and Dr Tony Scott.
Fr Burke is no longer with us but I am delighted to say that Dr Scott is still actively involved in a judging role.
The event has grown and evolved over the years to become one of the biggest events of its kind in the world.
From small beginnings of 230 entries, the event has grown to become one of the biggest and best of its kind in the world.
This year there are 550 projects.
More imagination requiring more physical space.
These are ‘the keepers’.
Selected by the judges from over 1,740 projects submitted by 4,000 students from all 32 counties.
No easy task.
No easy achievement.
34,000 visitors will see your work in action.
So, making it to this stage is a win in itself. Congratulations!
The Exhibitors
Science and technology are where it’s at for Ireland’s future.
Your projects show very clearly we’re up to the challenge, we’re on the way. As do the international successes of previous winners.
In September, last year’s overall winner, Alexander Amini, took first prize in engineering at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Helsinki.
Alexander was keeping up a tradition. For the past 23 years, Irish Young Scientist winners have taken a top prize in that competition 13 times.
Other award winners have represented Ireland with similar success. For example, the Intel Science and Engineering Fair in the USA, saw Ireland bring home more than 20 top awards over the years.
Developments in Maths and Science
Our award winners’ success shows the potential for Ireland in science, mathematics and technology-related disciplines.
That’s why the Government is investing strongly, strategically in science and technology-research even in this time of such scarce resources.
In 2012 alone, over €370million has been allocated to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to support enterprise-related research and innovation and the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions.
My Government is absolutely committed to supporting and developing these subjects at all levels of Irish education.
Right now, not all students study science at Junior Cert level.
It is our intention that science will become core subjects of the new Junior Cycle curriculum.
At Senior Cycle, government is currently working on revised syllabi for Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
These syllabi will emphasise and develop the crucial of problem-solving, critical thinking, team-work, collaboration and communication.
It’s similar to the approach of the Project Maths syllabus.
Some of you are already following these courses and judging by your work here you are finding them interesting, challenging.
Enough, I hope, that you will go on and study science, technology and mathematics at third level.
Because this is where we must be.
Leading the technology revolution.
As Taoiseach, I meet scientists and student scientists working on everything from finding a cure for cancer, providing renewable-energy solutions or developing computer games.
Exciting, life-changing, even life-giving work.
Yet regularly, the multi-national companies tell the Government they have jobs in these areas.....jobs they can’t fill.
So please, think science. Think maths. Think technology when you’re filling out those CAO forms.
You’ll be thinking yourself into a good job.
Dublin City of Science
This year is a terrific year for Science in Ireland.
Because Dublin is the ‘City of Science’ 2012.
We can showcase Ireland all over the world as a centre-of- excellence for science and innovation.
The launch is next week where science buskers and puppeteers will take to the streets not just in Dublin but around the country.
We’ll have theatre and film events, carnivals, experiments and an intriguing ‘science-themed’ picnic.
This is a chance for the whole country to get involved and put science centre stage.
Take a few minutes to visit the City of Science stand here in the RDS.
Show your scientist credentials by attending and supporting the various events.
Conclusion
Before I go, I would like to say a special thank you to your teachers.
I know you go above and beyond to work with your students and make these projects happen.
This is teaching at its most committed, its best.
The students and their parents will never forget you for this.
The journey you’ve started with and for these students, who knows where it could finish?
And I want to thank the judges.
What a task!
Yet you do it with passion, integrity, professionalism and commitment.
And I think...... excitement and fun.
And I want to thank you for the great job you do in keeping the event running smoothly.
Good luck to you all.
Remember, think science, think technology, think Ireland, think jobs.
I’m delighted to declare the 2012 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition officially open.
Ends
Government Press Office
Tel. 01-6194098