Minister Treacy Attends the 2001 Esat Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition

Mr Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce today (Thursday, 11th January 2001) visited Esat’s Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS. Now in its 37th year, it is the longest running science exhibition in the world. Esat’s 2001 exhibition will be their largest to date, with over 650 projects on display from almost 2000 students.

Minister Treacy, commenting on the dramatic increase in participation this year, said, "I am very happy that this exhibition continues to grow from strength to strength. The high quality of the projects on display here today, demonstrates the lively interest that our young people take in Science and Technology. The time and effort that the students put into developing their exhibits is clearly evident and this is a credit to the students, teachers parents and schools."

Minister Treacy welcomed the high female participation in this Exhibition, with twice as many girls as boys submitting projects. Given concerns worldwide over the low number of females pursuing scientific studies and careers, this is a very positive development.

Minister Treacy recalling that many students who distinguished themselves at the Young Scientist in the past are now world leaders in the fields of science and technology. The Minister said: "As a Minister with responsibilities in the two Government Departments, responsible for education and enterprise development, I am very encouraged by the scientific aptitude, talent and imagination demonstrated by the students here today. With Ireland’s international competitiveness becoming increasingly dependent on the scientific and technological skills of its workforce, the quality of the exhibits here augurs very well for Ireland’s future. These young people are the next generation of natural entrepreneurs and I am confident that the future will be safe in their hands."

For a number of years, a number of primary schools have participated in the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Minister Treacy welcomed the extension of this involvement with the establishment of a Primary Science Fair, this year.

Minister Treacy also outlined the significant contribution being made by the Primary Science Development Project. This is a unique developmental project at primary level, whereby about 1,500 primary teachers in over 200 schools are being actively supported in the schools by Science Trainers who have undergone intensive training in Primary Science and are seconded full-time to this work.

Referring to the importance of promoting public awareness of Science and Technology, Minister Treacy said, "Ireland’s place as a world-leader in the high-tech sector cannot be guaranteed unless the public is comfortable discussing scientific and technological developments and unless our young people study scientific subjects in school and in the third level sector.

"This is the reason that, since taking office I have been committed to promoting awareness of Science and Technology through a variety of initiatives such as the many events organised as part of the Galway Science and Technology Festival and Forfás’ Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme."

Minister Treacy continued, "I am delighted to see that a growing number of private sector companies are contributing to the task of raising public awareness by arranging imaginative and exciting events. Today’s "Young Scientist" is an excellent example of this and I am confident that many of the students here today will find that their participation in this exhibition will have brought them a step closer to availing of varied and rewarding career opportunities in scientific and technological fields."

Minister Treacy concluded by thanking the participants and organisers of today’s excellent show-case of young Irish talent. He paid particular tribute to Esat and to the other companies who co-sponsored the Exhibition - Intel, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Analog Devices and Nortel Networks.