President Higgins to virtually open the Young Scientist Exhibition
The 57th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition kicks off today as over 1,000 students from over 200 schools across the island of Ireland are taking part in the first ever virtual BTYSTE.
At 1pm today, President Michael D Higgins will give the Opening Address at the official opening ceremony of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2021, which can be viewed for free on the BTYSTE portal and on Facebook Live. Free registration is open at https://portal.btyoungscientist.com/
Students were up bright and early setting up their projects and are now eagerly waiting on for the first round of virtual judging to begin this afternoon, with over 80 judges volunteering their time this week.
The virtual exhibition hall is jam-packed with exciting events, with something for all ages. During the three-day exhibition, guests will hear from some very special guests, watch live entertainment acts and teachers will have access to a myriad of workshops at the new dedicated Teachers’ Area.
Making her debut on the main stage at 2pm today will be Danielle Wilcox, winner of the first ever BTYSTE ‘Irish Scientists Have Talent’ competition held by BTYSTE earlier this year. Danielle, a telescope operator, and resident astronomer at the Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork, will showcase the different types of telescopes used at Blackrock Castle including “Big Bertha” a large telescope used for imaging super massive black holes.
Also taking place on the first day of the virtual exhibition is a show on how to become an Astronaut by Irish astronaut Norah Patton and Mark Langtry the Science Guy, the Institute of Physics Lightening Show and a ‘Connecting Women in Technology Event’ called Tech Starter at 7pm.
Speaking ahead of the Connecting Women In Technology (CWIT) Tech Starter event Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science commented “We are more aware than ever of the central role of science in our lives. Today’s event is designed to support and encourage students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
The new and emerging technologies of the 21st century have developed at unprecedented pace and have transformed the way that we all live and work. Digitalisation is here to stay and will be a key influence on our economy and our society. That is why we need young people like the students at this event to develop the skills for a more digitised future and to reach for the great possibility it presents.
We need lots of different role models to be visible and to show the next generation that they can also follow their dreams in science. We have to deal with the gender gap that persists in the sector.
Currently just over a third of STEM academic staff members in Irish universities are women. I am determined we need to do better here, and believe strongly in the maxim - if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.”