NORTHERN Ireland’s economic recovery will depend on a knowledge base with an innovative edge, according to Education Minister John O’Dowd.
Speaking at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2013 he said the importance of young people embracing technology and science could not be overstated.
Mr O’Dowd said: “The global economy is now such that Ireland, in order to be able to compete with much larger and better resourced countries, must make the most of its knowledge base and differentiate itself by having an innovative edge.
“Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) form the basis of global economies today. By being able to create their own investigative projects, young people can examine issues that they best relate to and which they feel most passionate about, while applying and boosting their scientific learning.â€
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “It is clear that the future success of our economy will be increasingly dependent on our young people developing skills in STEM subjects. I hope that many of the students participating in the event are enthused to go on and study these subjects at college or university and ultimately seek employment in this sector by taking up some of the exciting opportunities in Northern Ireland.â€
Beating off stiff competition from 31 Northern Ireland finalists, Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry/Londonderry won the Best Northern Ireland School Award, while St Mary’s College, from the city won the Irish Medicines Board Special Award.
Rathmore Grammar School, Antrim, students received first prize and the Junior Group Award, while St Mary’s Limavady, received was second in the Senior Individual section.
Teacher Sean Donnelly from St Louis Grammar School won the Analog Devices Educator of Excellence Award; while students from Thornhill College and Lumen Christi College, Derry/Londonderry and St Colman’s College and St Louis Grammar, Down were Highly Commended.
The exhibition, which has been held annually since 1965, received over 1,800 entries from more than 350 schools across Ireland, with 550 projects making it to the finals event in Dublin. These included 33 projects from 14 schools in Northern Ireland.
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Education Minister with Megan Duffy and Zoe McGirr from Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry who took part in the BT Young Science Exhibition 2013 in Dublin
Northern Ireland’s economic recovery will depend on a knowledge base with an innovative edge, according to Education Minister John O’Dowd.
Speaking at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2013 he said the importance of young people embracing technology and science could not be overstated.
Mr O’Dowd said: “The global economy is now such that Ireland, in order to be able to compete with much larger and better resourced countries, must make the most of its knowledge base and differentiate itself by having an innovative edge.”
“Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) form the basis of global economies today. By being able to create their own investigative projects, young people can examine issues that they best relate to and which they feel most passionate about, while applying and boosting their scientific learning.”
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “It is clear that the future success of our economy will be increasingly dependent on our young people developing skills in STEM subjects. I hope that many of the students participating in the event are enthused to go on and study these subjects at college or university and ultimately seek employment in this sector by taking up some of the exciting opportunities in Northern Ireland.”
Beating off stiff competition from 31 Northern Ireland finalists, Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry/Londonderry won the Best Northern Ireland School Award, while St Mary’s College, from the city won the Irish Medicines Board Special Award.
Rathmore Grammar School, Antrim, students received first prize and the Junior Group Award, while St Mary’s Limavady, received was second in the Senior Individual section.
Teacher Sean Donnelly from St Louis Grammar School won the Analog Devices Educator of Excellence Award; while students from Thornhill College and Lumen Christi College, Derry/Londonderry and St Colman’s College and St Louis Grammar, Down were Highly Commended.
The exhibition, which has been held annually since 1965, received over 1,800 entries from more than 350 schools across Ireland, with 550 projects making it to the finals event in Dublin. These included 33 projects from 14 schools in Northern Ireland.
