Two students from Co Tipperary have won the 59th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) for their project on adolescence.
Shane O'Connor and Liam Carew, aged 19 and in sixth year in The Abbey School, won with for their project "Assessing the impact of second-level education on key aspects of adolescents' life and development".
Liam Carew said he was surprised when their names were announced.
"We knew when we weren't getting called out earlier that maybe there was chance but I just can't believe it, it's super," Liam said.
Shane O'Connor said he was delighted with the win and explained what the project involved.
"This was a three-year study that covered the years of Covid; 2020, 2021 and 2022, and assessed students throughout those years in a longitudinal way on the impacts of Covid but also the impacts of school overall on students," Shane said.
The prize was presented to the winners in the RDS in Dublin by Minister for Education Norma Foley, and Managing Director of BT Ireland Shay Walsh.
Chair of the Social and Behavioural Sciences Group Judging Panel Professor Joe Barry described the winning entry as a very impressive survey.
"One of the key findings coming out of the research was that whilst inequality is prevalent in DEIS schools, exponential improvements in areas of pastoral care and physical health are quickly closing this gap," Prof Barry said.
As winners of the 2023 BT Young Scientist & Technology, Shane and Liam received the BTYSTE perpetual trophy and the top prize of €7,500.
They will represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, which takes place in Brussels, Belgium in September 2023.
They will also attend the 64th Annual London International Youth Science Forum this summer.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister Foley extended her congratulations to Shane and Liam.
"With the BTYSTE back in person for the first time since before the pandemic, I have had the pleasure to witness first-hand the level of innovation and creativity demonstrated by this year's entrants, across a range of important and relevant topics," Ms Foley said.
Ayush Tambde, aged 17 and in sixth year in Stratford College in Dublin, won the prize for Best Individual, with his project, 'Analysis of single-cell proteomic data to understand the mechanisms of oncogenic transformation and how to control them'.
Adrian Drogomir, aged 19 and in sixth year in Adamstown Community College in Dublin, won the prize for Runner-up Individual, with his project, AI-energy.
Olivia O’Shea, Erica O’Brien Murray and Abigail O’Brien Murray, aged 17 and in fifth year in Loreto College, Balbriggan won the prize for Runners-up Group, with their project, 'Can we save the common ash?'.
Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland said it has been a pleasure to welcome students back to an in-person event.
"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," Mr Walsh said.
