A record number of students have applied for entry to Ireland's annual science fair from January 10th-14th at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin.
More than 2,500 students from 31 counties have submitted 1,152 entries, and some 500 projects have been selected.
The high level of student interest in the BT Young Scientist & Technology exhibition runs counter to the decline in students taking science in the Leaving Cert, said BT Ireland chief operating officer Mike Maloney.
"There has been a very high response for 2006, and we are delighted with how this event is growing in size and stature each year," he said yesterday.
"The aim of the competition is to increase awareness and interest in science, technology and mathematics, and this year's numbers reflect a great reaction from students and schools throughout the island of Ireland."
Now in its 42nd year, the exhibition continues to attract large numbers from North and South.
All counties except Fermanagh, which has not entered for the past six years, have submitted individual and group projects for consideration by the judging panel that created the shortlist of some 500 projects.
As in past years, the number of girls participating outstrips boys by two to one.
The competition is open to all secondary students, with entries at junior, intermediate and senior levels.
The categories are Social and Behavioural Sciences (201 entries this year), Biological and Ecological Sciences (152 entries), Chemical, Physical and Mathematical (107 entries) and Technology (64 entries).