The organisers of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) have said that all entrants are expected to make it to this year's event, which opened today.
There had been concerns that some schools may have been unable to travel to the RDS in Dublin because of the adverse weather conditions.
550 projects from 225 schools are going on display showcasing innovation in the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Mari Cahalane, Head of the BTYSTE, said they have been in touch with schools over the last few days and that right now it looks like every entrant will make it in time for judging.
"We've heard of a school that had tractors out ploughing the roads to make sure the students would be here," Ms Cahalane said.
"It's a lovely thing that communities are getting behind this because the students have put so much work in to be here," she added.
A judging panel of 85 experts from the world of STEM and business will choose over 200 prize winners, including the overall winning entry.
This year, for the first time ever, the overall winner, along with one senior project from each of the four remaining categories, will be awarded a trip to the World Expo, in Osaka, Japan.
The winner will also represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Riga, Latvia in September.
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Watch: Pupils excited ahead of BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
Students from Desmond College in Co Limerick said locals used tractors to clear snow from the roads to ensure they would make it on time.
"We were meant to be coming up today, but we went yesterday instead and took the train as it was safer," said student Kinga Tobianska.
"There was tractors everywhere and they were getting it all cleared so we got here safely," she added.
Kinga and her partner on the project, Paulina Varuyeva, developed a new type of bandage that can be cooled or heated to more effectively heal wounds.
Other projects include a gum shield that increases oxygen volume in the body, which was developed by students at St Patrick's College in Co Tyrone.
A student from St Joseph's Community College in Co Clare donned a cow outfit to present their project 'Herd Herbs', which explores herbal remedies to prevent mastitis in dairy cows.
Students from St John Bosco Community College in Clare entered a project called 'Smog Sucks' - a filter that reduces emissions from burning solid fuels.
Last year's winning entry focused on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and it is a theme that is evident again this year.
Alexander Douglas and Adam McMahon from Ashbourne Community School in Co Meath have entered a project investigating word usage in AI large language models.
President Michael D Higgins officially opened the event this afternoon, using his address to urge students to use science for good.
"Science, for example, can at the present time be employed to generate ever-more sophisticated weapons and instruments of death and destruction that are used to generate fear for populations," Mr Higgins said.
"What a shocking statistic it is that world military expenditure increased for the ninth consecutive year in 2023, to a figure of $2.44 trillion, the highest ever recorded."
"It is important that we respond to this use of science and the rhetoric that calls for war as a state of mind, including to the recent appalling comments from NATO calling for ever-more armaments spending to be achieved," he added.
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61st year of the exhibition
The BTYSTE showcases STEM focused ideas in project entries from secondary school students aged 12-19 years.
It is the 61st year of the exhibition and the 25th year of BT Ireland's involvement as the main sponsor of the event.
The BTYSTE will be open to the public from Thursday to Saturday with tickets available for purchase online.
A primary science fair will also take place alongside the main exhibition on Thursday and Friday, giving 53 primary schools the opportunity to showcase STEM projects.
