Minister for Education and Skills congratulates winners of BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. tonight congratulated Cormac Harris and Alan O’Sullivan, both aged 16, fourth year students from Coláiste Choilm, Cork, who have won the top prize at 56th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).

Presenting the award at the RDS in Dublin, the Minister said:

It is an honour to be here for a second year in a row and to present the BT Young Scientist and Technologist of the Year perpetual trophy to Alan and Cormac. It is a phenomenal achievement and their work should be an inspiration to us all.

I was here earlier in the week and the standard of the projects was even more encouraging than in previous years

Students are thinking about creative and innovative solutions to pressing issues such as climate change, pollution and healthcare.

The atmosphere of excitement, creativity and fun at the RDS this week has been incredible. It is a pleasure to meet with these students who are able to expertly articulate the thinking behind their projects and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t already visited the exhibition to take the opportunity to see the projects.”

Minister McHugh also thanked all those involved in the running of the event:

I would like to thank all the BT organisers, judges and particularly the teachers and parents – without your time, advice and expertise there would be no exhibition.

It is fantastic that the exhibition will continue to be sponsored by BT for the next three years and I am in no doubt that the success of the exhibition over the last number of years would not have been achieved without their support and dedication.

Last year’s winner Adam Kelly went on to achieve a first prize at the EU contest for young scientists and that shows the standard of competition we have in Ireland.”