By Dionne Meehan
STUDENTS from Donegal will be making the journey to Dublin this week to compete in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2024.
A total of twelve entries from schools around the county will help make up a total of 550 projects selected to compete in this week’s final stage.
However, the BT Young Scientist Exhibition isn’t just a competition.
It is much more, having been described as an “unforgettable experience of a lifetime” for those involved.
Of all the submissions for the 2024 exhibition, the most common project titles are focused on health; mental, menstrual, sleep, medicine, ageing and behaviour.
Mental health project entries covered a broad range of topics, such as beauty standards, sports performance, exercise and sleep.
Two per cent 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 four per cent 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, three per cent 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 eleven per cent 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 nine per cent of projects investigating topics ranging from sports injuries to performance, as well as the use of technology within sports, gender, and mental health.
Furthermore six per cent 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.
The competition is set to run from January 10 to January 13.
The Donegal News would like to wish entrants from Abbey Vocational School, Coláiste Ailigh, Loreto Community School, Loreto Secondary School, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and St Columba’s Comprehensive School the best of luck in the competition.
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