BT Young Scientist 2023

Project by Shane O'Connor and Liam Carew from Abbey School assessed effects of secondary school on 2500 students.

Chair of the judging panel in that category, Prof Joe Barry, paid tribute to their “very impressive survey examining how secondary school students perceived school to impact on their social, physical and mental wellbeing”. The level of creativity, innovation and research has been nothing short of remarkable”. “To quote directly from the students’ research, ‘Secondary school is a vital social outlet for students and this can be seen across our interviews, focus groups and in particular in our survey’.” Liam said their findings needed to be widely communicated, with obvious targets needed for the Department of Education “but also policymakers, advisers, teachers and pupils”. It aimed to assess the social, mental and physical effects of secondary school on different groups of students. This contrasted with the perception of teachers on mental health guidance.

The study looked at the impacts of secondary school on students' mental, physical, and social well-being.

“I was the nerd in school who loved science and that didn’t always go down so well but here I fit in,” she said before adding that just getting to show a project at the exhibition did “wonders” for her confidence. Ms Judge who was in Kinsale Community College and just 15 at the time, went on to win again at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Prague that same year and said the standard of projects is increasing year on year. Mr O’Connor’s mother said the pair put “blood, sweat and tears” into the project since 2020 with Mr Carew saying he was “delighted” with the win and felt “super”.

The atmosphere is electric at the RDS, as the final day of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2023 gets underway.

The awards ceremony will begin at 5.30pm this evening, with the winner(s) of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition due to be announced at around 7pm. Speaking ahead of this evening’s awards ceremony, Mari Cahalane, head of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition said “I don’t envy the panel of judges who are tasked with choosing this year’s winner! All eyes are on this evening’s awards ceremony, where the winner(s) of the 59th BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition will finally be announced!

Their poject looks at the impact of second-level education on teenagers' lives and development.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away. “This project demonstrates through very detailed experiments how the design of the electrode impacts the battery performance and points the way to future design,” Professor Feely said. Liam Carew and Shane O’Connor of the Abbey School in Tipperary are taking home the top prize after impressing the judges with a project on “assessing the impact of second-level education on key aspects of adolescents’ life and development”.

The coveted prize was presented to the winners this evening in the RDS in Dublin by Education Minister Norma Foley and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay ...

“I have no doubt this is only the beginning of all the brilliant work you will go on to do. “After three long years, it has been a pleasure to welcome you all back to the event in person. “The level of creativity, innovation and research displayed over the last number of days has been nothing short of remarkable, and I am humbled and grateful to be a part of it. “From my time in the classroom, I am aware of the enormous work and support required to participate in competitions like this, and I wish to acknowledge your teachers and school communities who have also generously given their time and expertise to support you on your journey. “The calibre of each entry is a testament to the tenacity and talent of the students behind them, and it is this constant high standard that makes BT Young Scientist one of the longest running, and most successful STEM events in Europe. The coveted prize was presented to the winners this evening in the RDS in Dublin by Education Minister Norma Foley and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh.