Student entries Tackle Real-World Issues for BTYSTE 2025

Over 4,000 Irish students from 352 schools across the island of Ireland have showcased their innovation and ingenuity through the 2,069 project entries received for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2025. Tackling a broad range of topics relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the 550 shortlisted projects will represent their schools and local communities at the BTYSTE in January 2025.

The upcoming BTYSTE, taking place at the RDS from 8th – 11th January 2025, received entries from schools in 31 counties.

Health has emerged as a key theme, accounting for over one-third (42%) of all project entries across a number of categories with topics covered ranging from the impact of vaping to mental health, to hospital queues. The second key theme (27%), environmental sustainability, included projects on pollution, waste management, renewable energy, biodiversity and conservation.

In addition to these familiar themes, there have been a number of other areas that have become popular in this year’s entries for the first time, perhaps demonstrating the strong influence of Ireland’s socioeconomic agenda and cultural and social dynamics on students. These include projects on the new deposit return scheme, electoral voting and inclusivity in education.

STEM-focused subjects relating to biology (9%) and technology (8%) also account for a large proportion of entries to the BTYSTE this year, delving into topics such as the ecology and plant-life of their local communities, the development of IT applications and devices, as well as neurodivergence, gender stereotypes and language studies. Other popular themes emerging in the areas of technology include artificial intelligence and machine learning. Chemistry, physics and mathematics also featured heavily among entries.

This year the BTYSTE saw entries from almost half (49%) of all secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Schools that entered will be notified of the results of the shortlisted projects today, Monday October 21, 2024.

Speaking on the entries, Professor Pat Guiry, Chair of Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Board and Exhibition judge said, “This year we were heartened by the exceptional quality of entries to the BTYSTE. In fact, every year we are amazed by the calibre of submissions being made right across the country. The shortlisting of 2,069 entries down to 550 qualified projects was a tough challenge again this year.

“The scientific rigour and depth of research evident in the entries demonstrates the talent and creativity of Irish students, and their commitment to finding solutions to some of the greatest challenges of their times and gaining a greater understanding of the world around them.”

Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland added: “This year’s entries reflect the dedication and creativity of students in Ireland in addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges today, and we see a shift towards more specific and detailed investigations within the project entries. There is also a noticeable increase in the application of AI and new technologies to address various challenges.

“In the 25 years that BT Ireland has been custodian, organiser, and sponsor of the prestigious YSTE, we have seen many previous entrants go on to make a big impact in the STEM sector and change the world for the better. I have no doubt based on this year’s entries, that future alumni will continue on that same trajectory.”

The 2025 BTYSTE will take place from January 08-11, 2025. There are over 200 prizes and a prize fund of well over €50,000 to be won. These prizes are awarded across all five categories and age groups, including the overall BT Young Scientist & Technologist(s) 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 will take place in Latvia. Ireland has a strong record of taking home the prize for first place at the EUCYS, with 17 wins over the past 35 years.

Tickets for the BTYSTE 2025 will be available for purchase in November.