Judging got under way this afternoon in the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin.
President Mary McAleese formally opened the exhibition, which continues over the next four days.
The 2011 competition is the 47th annual young scientist event and has again set records for the largest number of student entries.
The initial 1,735 projects submitted for possible inclusion were reduced to 520 which went forward for judging.
The students are vying to win the title of Young Scientist of the Year, with the winning individual or group project receiving a trophy and a cheque for €5,000.
