BT launched the 2012 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition yesterday calling on students to begin to prepare their projects for the 2012 exhibition. The closing for entry is 3rd October 2011, and the company is hoping to break a new record for entry numbers in 2012.

At the launch BT, who have been involved in the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for the past 12 years, confirmed that it will invest a further €2 million over the next 3 years. It also announced that it “will increase its Travel & Accommodation grant by 50 percent to €75,000. The grant will be a boost to schools across the island of Ireland that require extra financial support to travel and stay in Dublin for the annual fair and competition in January.”

Graham Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer, BT Ireland, said, “We believe the exhibition ticks all the right boxes for the country, its students and BT – it helps stimulate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) skills, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and gives a much-needed lift to spirits.”

He added, “Innovation and skills are critical to the success of economies and major brands like BT, and through the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, we can seek to encourage bright young minds to invent new products and services, start enterprises, generate exports and ultimately create jobs.”

Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn TD, said, “The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, which is now entering its 48th year, gives young people a great opportunity to move beyond the classroom and to display their originality and research skills to great practical effect.” “It provides the motivation and stimulus to encourage today’s students to strive to be at the forefront of research and innovation in tomorrow’s world and continuing to encourage our young people to be interested in science and technology is vitally important to the economy.”

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS, Dublin from January 11th – 15th 2012.

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