Speech by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin TD, at the opening ceremony of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2007 at the RDS

Wednesday 10th January 2007

I am delighted to join you here today to open the BTYoung Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2007. I have to say that the atmosphere here today in the RDS is electric, the buzz of industry, laughter and conversation is breathtaking and I have been deeply impressed by the variety and quality of the exhibits and the depth and sophistication of the scientific knowledge displayed. I am also struck by the obvious imagination and hard work that has gone into each and every project, a credit to the students, their teachers and parents.

This exciting event provides you with an opportunity to exhibit your work in a world-class showcase of young Irish talent. When this exhibition first opened its doors in the Mansion House back in 1965, well before the vast majority of you here today were born, just 5000 people attended. Last year was the largest exhibition to date and almost 36,000 people visited it, bringing the total visitors to around three quarters of a million people over the past 42 years - a clear signal of how it has captured the imagination of all. I am also delighted that the exhibition continues to be an all-island event, with 29 counties represented here today.

This year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2007 has again broken all records to date, with more than 3000 students entering a staggering 1,278 projects.

Each of the categories contain projects that display discipline and originality way beyond the years of the competitors. The fact that so many of the prize-winners of this competition go on to win in other prestigious competitions world-wide is a testimony to the incredibly high standards on show here. Above all this competition highlights and promotes the opportunities that science can offer to young people and ensures a greater public appreciation of science and of the role it plays in every aspect of our daily lives. For, in addition to producing new knowledge, science also enhances our way of life, inspires the inventiveness of new generations, and stimulates the creation of ideas that strengthen economies and societies.Science is not just about white coats and laboratories but is all about this fascinating and rapidly changing world around us and how it is developing and improving constantly through research and discovery.

Science and technology are critical to Ireland’s future economic development. As we set out in our recent Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, we cannot achieve success without scientists, engineers and technicians of the highest calibre, both in terms of qualifications but also with the imagination and innovation to develop new ideas, techniques and processes, qualities so evident in this exhibition today. As never before in our history, we need more and more young people like you with science, technology and engineering skills for the fulfilling and well-paid careers that are being generated in these sectors here in Ireland.

To this end, we initiated the now highly successful Discover Science and Engineering, the integrated awareness programme which was established in 2003 with the aim of attracting more young people to take up careers in science, technology and engineering and to foster general public awareness of all things scientific. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition has the full backing of Discover Science & Engineering, along with the other important Gold partners - Intel, Analog Devices and RTE, all of which I want to thank for their support.

It is heartening to see the wealth of talent that Ireland has produced in the fields of science and very encouraging, through events such as this exhibition, that scientific talent and excellence continue to be nurtured and rewarded. In this context, I would especially like to thank BT for its continued support and for their efforts in sponsoring and organising the exhibition once again this year.

While I know that participation in this exhibition is an exciting and fun way to learn about science, I also know that you had to put in the effort and dedication necessary to reach the high standards demanded of those selected to exhibit. None of this would have been possible without the drive of your inspiring teachers and the support of your families and they should be very proud of you all today. You know all about the need for commitment and perseverance through setbacks and disappointments and you also know about the immense satisfaction, the excitement and reward that is to be gained from involvement in all of the challenges of the scientific process. I hope that you really enjoy this event and that you learn even more about this exciting area of science and technology. Work hard, follow your dreams, you might change the world, you will certainly shape the future.

ENDS

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