BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
It is well-documented that we must enhance our skills in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) if we are to equip our young people with the attributes necessary for reshaping the future of Northern Ireland. There is a lot of buzz around the STEM agenda. However at BT, we want to play our part in making these fundamental yet critical subjects increasingly pervasive and organising the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has proved a highly effective way of doing this.
The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their talents, learn from each other and to meet their peers from all over the island of Ireland. It is also particularly encouraging that many of our young people have gone on to secure awards at international science events, and that the competition has also been an opportunity for many to turn their innovative ideas into commercial ventures.
In the last couple of years, we have extended this element of the competition and developed a spin off event into the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp where around 30 young people from the competition are selected to experience, first-hand, the world of commercialisation and entrepreneurship. In delivering these programmes we collaborate with key private and public sector organisations to create an opportunity to mentor the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
At BT we strive to promote the benefits of investing in STEM activities for young people and raise awareness about the unlimited career opportunities in STEM-related subjects. Through this commitment not only do we have over 130 of our own employees involved but we have also formed strong partnerships with the Department of Education, University of Ulster, Matrix and W5 which have enabled us to engage with young people to encourage uptake in science and technology-related subjects at second and third level education: a key enabler to drive forward and build our knowledge-based economy.
While there are many benefits for students and schools taking part, our partnership organisations are helping to bridge the gap between the world of education and business, a critical step in developing future business leaders and entrepreneurs fit for the challenges of the global market. We believe we must continue with this joint approach in working with other like-minded organisations and as leaders in innovation and technology we can help cultivate and nurture the talent of our young scientists and engineers through the exhibition.
As the competition’s reputation and influence grows stronger in Northern Ireland and with new partners recognising its value, BT is confident of an increasing entry level amongst Northern Ireland schools. We’ve proven that the exhibition can lead to brilliant opportunities for those who participate and with continued investment in our young people, we can ensure they have every opportunity to showcase their talent and seize the benefits that this excellent exhibition can bring them.
The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS, Dublin, from 9-12 January 2013. For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com, check out www.facebook.com/BTYSTE or follow us on twitter at twitter.com/btyste
Closing date for online entries: Monday 1 October 2012
