World-renowned artist, Graham Knuttel to select a new trophy design to award the winner of the 2014 exhibition

Belfast, Monday 2 September 2013: In this, the 50th anniversary of what is now a cornerstone of our educational calendar, secondary school students from across the island of Ireland are being called upon to enter the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition by Wednesday 2nd October.

Building on the positive momentum in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) seen during this year’s GCSE and A’Level’s where the numbers of students sitting sciences, maths, technology, computing and ICT increased, BT is calling on students to submit ideas and inventions they have for creating a better future. 

Colm O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer, BT commented: “The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition provides students with a unique platform to meet like-minded peers, accomplished academics and industry organisations from across the science and technology sectors. 

“Not only can the students showcase their ideas in the prestigious competition, they can also explore third level education and career opportunities with the organisations who exhibit there.  The exhibition has thrived for 49 years, positively impacting so many people who took part, and we’re hoping that more and more students and schools will take the opportunity to enter their idea in this milestone year.”

To celebrate the 50th exhibition, BT has partnered with the NI regional colleges and the Institutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI) to find the most creative design for a new award trophy to present to the overall winner of the exhibition. Third level students will submit designs for this perpetual trophy, and the overall winning entry will be selected by one of Ireland’s most celebrated artists, Graham Knuttel.

The winner of the trophy design competition will receive a commemorative trophy of their own, a MacBook laptop[i] and the honour of having their trophy design created and presented to the winners of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in 2014 to 2016.

Speaking about the design competition, lead judge Graham Knuttel said; “The calibre of artistic talent and creativity here is undoubtedly among the best in the world. This design competition is a fantastic opportunity for budding artists to see their creative ideas taken from conception through to masterpiece and I would encourage those eligible students to get involved. Every January I look forward to seeing the winners of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition presented with their trophy and I commend BT, the sponsors and organisers of this exhibition, for facilitating such an important event for science and creativity.”

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is organised by BT Ireland, and is supported by a number of valued partners including the Department of Education & Skills, Analog Devices, Elan, Intel and RTE. The exhibition will take place in the RDS, Dublin from January 8th – 11th 2014   For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com.

ENDS