EU Commission Carlos Moedas welcomes EU Young Scientist to Ireland

-Calling all science enthusiasts –

Tickets now available for the European Union Contest for Young Scientists

• EU Commissioner Carlos Moedas says ‘Ireland is a fantastic hub for STEM innovation’
• The best and brightest young minds across Europe to compete for the coveted title in Ireland this year
• 38 countries taking part in the internationally renowned education event
• Tickets available now, free of charge at eucys2018.com/tickets, for this once in a generation event for Ireland

20^th August 2018: Ireland is set to welcome some of Europe’s brightest young minds next month as the country plays host to the 30^th EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS). Taking place in the Dublin from 14^th-19^th September, the contest will see 139 students from 38 different countries showcasing 90 projects, in a bid to be crowned EU Young Scientist of the Year.

The contest will be open to the public in the RDS from Saturday 15^th September to Monday 17^th, when visitors can see for themselves the fantastic projects on display.  They will also be able to take in performances from the special acts line-up including psychologist James Soper and his “Your beautiful biased brian” show; and Sue McGrath aka “Scientific Sue”, who will bring spectators on a journey of science and inspiration and introduce people to her fire-breathing dragons. Tickets can be downloaded for free at www.eucys2018.com/tickets now.

The EUCYS participants have all previously won first prizes in their home country’s national science competition, the equivalent to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in Ireland. Their projects will cover a broad spectrum of scientific areas, including biology, physics, chemistry, computing, social sciences, environment, mathematics, materials, engineering and medicine.  Simon Meehan, who was awarded the BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year title at the BTYSTE in January will represent Ireland at the EUCYS.

The top prizes for the overall winners is €7,000 with other prizes including a trip to CERN in Switzerland and the European Space Agency. Ireland has traditionally performed well at the EUCYS having taken home one of the top prizes an astounding 14 times in 28 years.

European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas said “The European Commission is delighted to sponsor the EU Young Scientist Competition. Founded by Jacques Delors in 1989, the competition brings together the best and brightest young minds from across the EU and further afield. Ireland is a fantastic hub for STEM innovation and we are really excited to be hosting the event there this year. The Competition is a perfect showcase of the ideals of the European Union as it promotes collaboration and innovation across borders.”

Previous winner Abdusalem Abubakar (Ireland) won first prize at EUCYS in 2007 and the code breaker, who’s project exposed failings in RSA encryption using continued fractions, has gone on to a distinguished career at the tech company, Ericssons. Likewise, Lina Tomasella (Italy) who won in 1989 with her Biology project ‘Toxicity of colour dyes used as tracers’. Lina is now a highly respected researcher at the National Institute for Astrophysics, Padova and will be one of the judges at EUCYS2018.

Mari Cahalane, Head of EUCYS 2018, said: “We are delighted to announce that this year the EUCYS will be held in Dublin, Ireland. Now in its 30^th year, the competition has strong ties to Ireland, after hosting the event here in 2004 and we are delighted to be back. I am happy to say we will, once again, be showcasing the very best of global young STEM innovation with representatives from 38 countries traveling to take part in Dublin this September.”

“Events such as EUCYS help foster a beyond boarders appreciation for STEM innovation. The contest allows young people to, not only showcase their projects on an international stage but to also get to know some of the brightest STEM minds across Europe and the world and become part of the next generation of STEM innovators”.

“We are encouraging people of all ages who have an interest in science to come along to the contest this September as having EUCYS on your doorstep, and being able to attend free of charge, is a once in a generation opportunity.”

The competition is open to other countries outside of Europe, with states such as China, Canada, Russia and South Korea also taking part.