Alex Greaney
BT Ireland has revealed the top themes emerging from the project entries for the 2024 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).
The data shows that secondary school students from across the island of Ireland are interested in learning more about AI, diversity inclusion, and mental health. This January, 550 projects and hundreds of students will represent their school and community at the 2024 BTYSTE.
Of all the submissions for the 2024 exhibition, the most common project titles are focused on health (16%); mental, menstrual, sleep, medicine, ageing, behaviour. Mental health project entries covered a broad range of topics, such as beauty standards, sports performance, exercise, and sleep. 2% of all entries specifically investigated the health and environmental implications of vaping, which suggests the awareness and concerns of young people around vaping.
AI accounted for 4% of all entries, with projects looking at how programmes such as Chat GPT can be used effectively in education and health. Diversity and Inclusion was another topic of interest for students this year. Of all entries, 3% focus on developing apps and technology to help improve the daily lives of those with physical disabilities. Neurodiversity (Autism, in particular) was another emerging theme, suggesting growing interest from young people in the ways that technology can improve the lives of neurodivergent people.
Similar to previous years, the environment continues to be a strong trend within entries, with 11% of all projects covering the topic, from ways to become more sustainable, to environmentally friendly farming practices, microplastics, natural fertilisers, and even fast fashion.
Young peoples’ interest in sport remains high, with 9% of projects investigating topics ranging from sports injuries to performance, as well as the use of technology within sports, gender, and mental health. Furthermore 6% of all projects also delve into education, investigating areas from mental health to academic success, innovation, and the use of apps and devices within classrooms and learning environments.
Schools who entered the 2024 BTYSTE were notified of results on Wednesday, October 25th. From January 10th to 13th 2024, hundreds of students will showcase their innovative ideas in the areas of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Technology, Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Biological and Ecological Sciences, and a brand-new category being introduced for 2024, Health and Wellbeing.
technology, exhibition, and mathematics (STEM)continues to grow, and we are looking forward to recognise and nurture new talent in the sector in the new year.”
Mari Cahalane, Head of the BTYSTE concluded: “The BTYSTE is a fantastic platform for students to develop their best ideas to improve the world we live in and showcase them nationally and internationally. As one of the largest STEM school exhibitions in Europe, our alumni have been recognised globally and with the standard of entries for 2024 just as high as years before, we’re very confident that trend will continue. We are excited to see the 2024 BTYSTE entrants showcase their extraordinary work at next year’s exhibition.”
The 60th BTYSTE will take place from January 10-13, 2024. Ireland’s national celebration of STEM is one of the country’s best attended events every year and has something for all ages to enjoy. There are over 200 prizes to be won and a prize fund of €50,000 for BTYSTE 2024. These prizes are awarded across all five categories and age groups, including the overall BT Young Scientist and Technologist of the Year Award, worth €7,500, which will see the winners go on to represent Ireland at the prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), which takes place in the European City of Science 2024 – Katowice, Poland. Ireland has a strong record of taking home the prize for first place at the EUCYS, with 17 wins over the past 33 years.
Tickets for the BTYSTE 2024 will be available for purchase later this month. For more information on the BTYSTE, please visit @BTYSTE on X (formerly twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
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