Judging begins this afternoon in the Esat Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2001. The event has brought 2,000 student science enthusiasts to the RDS in Dublin and a total of 472 projects will be on display.
Yesterday the RDS Main Hall was littered with displays, experimental hardware and students who had arrived to assemble their research projects. The hall was opened yesterday for students from Dublin, who make up about one-third of the total taking part this year.
This morning the pace will quicken considerably as the regional participants arrive to put their projects together on the display stands.
Dublin has contributed the largest entry of students, followed by Cork, Wicklow and Kildare.
The presentation ceremony will be different this year and is planned for the industries hall to the rear of the main hall. A stage has been assembled on which the President, Mrs McAleese, will present the main group and individual awards on Friday evening.
Continuity with last year's event is provided with an innovation, the "winners' enclosure", a platform which has been erected in the centre of the main hall. The projects submitted by last year's Young Scientist winner, Thomas Gernon, of Colaiste Ris, Dundalk, Co Louth, and the group winners, Peter Taylor and Shane Browne, of St Kilian's Community School, Bray, Co Wicklow, will be on display there.
Another major change is the inclusion of a technology category. There were 85 applicants in this sector and 60 have made it through to the competition, according to the organisers. "It has given a new dimension and we believe it will grow significantly," a spokeswoman said.
Other dignitaries confirmed for a visit to the displays include the Minister for Education and Science, Dr Woods, who will be there on Friday, and the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, who will attend tomorrow.
The students will have to submit to three tough days of judging, which begins this afternoon. Each stand will be visited by a number of judges who traditionally take a great interest in what the participants have to say.
The exhibition will be open to the public tomorrow and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for students and OAPs; family tickets are available for £10 and these will admit two adults and two children.
