We may have left a very cold, snow covered, icy Co. Kerry but the snow wasn’t long melting off our shoes as we swayed and click-clacked our way to Dublin by train. Our four students Sharon Enright and Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise Murphy were full of energy and determination, eager to get to Dublin and showcase their projects which they had spent months preparing along with their teachers Ms. Musgrave and Ms. Madigan. Other students from schools around Kerry and Cork were also on the train so there was a great buzz and atmosphere as we inched our way closer to Dublin and the 61st BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS.
It was after 9pm by the time everyone had been checked into the Sandymount Hotel beside the Aviva Stadium. Pizza was ordered to satisfy any signs of hunger and an early night was had by all.
Wednesday morning we were up bright and early for 7:30am. Breakfast was enjoyed and we all gathered at the hotel’s reception where we were picked up by our lovely chauffeur David who drives the hotel’s shuttle bus to the RDS. The venue was a hive of activity with students making their way in, registering and locating their stand as well as teachers, bag laden following their students and keeping the calm! A fortunate turn of events meant that both our entries, even though in separate categories, were in the same row! It was lovely to be close and offer support to one another throughout the four days of the Exhibition. The Red Coats are employees of BT and they were on hand at all times to help the students set up and prepare for the day ahead. We enjoyed some sandwiches for lunch and by 2pm we were called to assemble outside the Opening Ceremony venue. The noise and excitement was electric, all four students soaked up the atmosphere, delighted to be there after months of hard work and preparation. Managing Director of BT Ireland, Mr Shay Walsh opened the Ceremony, giving praise to every student and teacher present as well as stating that 60% of entries were from female participants! He then welcomed President Michael D. Higgins and his wife to the stage. Our President spoke passionately about the atrocities in Gaza and told all the students present that they can make a difference in our world and that STEM will play a huge role in achieving peace and equality for all. Finally the ceremony was closed by Mark The Science Guy generating a colourful explosion of ping pong balls and dry ice! The evening involved waiting for the first round of judging and like most things the actual process wasn’t as bad as you’d initially think. Sharon, Ciara, Laoise and Saoirse all sailed tough their first round and had a very special visit from the President and his wife Sabina. They both spoke with the girls, asked them about their projects and highly commended them on their diligent, meaningful work. After 5pm we began to pack up our essentials and head back to the hotel. After a quick change we met for dinner in the hotel and decided to relax and chat for the evening.
Thursday once again began with an early rise and healthy breakfast. David was ready and waiting for us outside the hotel entrance. Today would entail two judging sessions and the first day that the public were allowed to enter and view the many projects. The Exhibition area was also open that day so the girls had a great time exploring all the many stands and accepting the many free bits and bobs on offer! There were many celebrities in the building that day among them Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin who both paid a visit to our students, questioning them about their research, what they’ve learnt, about themselves and our school in Tralee. There was a Space Exploration show on several times that day as well as Mark the Science Guy. Sharon was busy throughout the day testing the public’s reaction skills and explaining the background and development of her tailored program for vulnerable drivers. Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise were equally as busy explaining the concept of their App ACT and it’s coding. Judging finished, day 2 began to wind down and once again by 5pm we began our short journey by foot back to the hotel, thankful of the cool fresh air after a day of being indoors with crowds of people. Following dinner all girls decided to relax with their families and prepare for Day 3 of BT!
Friday morning, following breakfast David was once again ready to take us to the RDS. Before entering we met Dr Tony Scott, one of the founding members of the BT Young Scientist. The girls greeted him and he informed us that he was just after a busy morning at the pool! We quickly made our way to our stands to find that two time cards were placed there meaning that VIPs were going to call that morning! Firstly we had the pleasure of meeting MEP Billy Kelleher followed closely by our own, Minister Norma Foley. They stayed for official photos with the girls and congratulated them on their achievements and commended the way they were representing their school and county. Judging continued that day and there was a lot of excitement around the Exhibition. Ms Finucane arrived to support the girls, her energy was the lift we needed and she expressed how proud she was of each one of them. By 4pm we were all ushered into the Closing Ceremony venue, every corner of the space radiated excitement, it was electric! The ceremony itself lasts almost 2 hours as there are several categories namely Technology, Biological & Ecological Sciences, Social & Behavioural Sciences, Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Health & Wellbeing and there are also several special awards to be distributed. The tension was palpable, every parent and teacher willing their child’s or student’s name to be called! ACT was awarded The Health Research Board Award and we were over the moon! So many wonderful projects and ideas with countless hours of work put in behind the scenes, who was going to be awarded this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technologist?! Finally we reached the part of the Ceremony everyone was waiting for, the top four awards! We all waited, breathless with anticipation, eager to hear who had won the top prize! The relief, joy and pride we all felt when Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise were announced as the 2025 BT Young Scientists and Technologists will forever stay in our memories. To witness the girls make their way down the aisle towards the stage to a wave of applause and have Minister Norma Foley hand them the coveted trophy was amazing to be part of. A very proud moment for Presentation Secondary School Tralee and it brought back wonderful memories of Emer Jones’s win in 2008 with her teacher Ms. O’Mahony. We all headed to the stage to congratulate the girls and share that very special moment which they had dreamed of. Following this we were escorted to a reception and got to meet some of the judges, past winners and many delegates, needless to say a late night was enjoyed!
The following day was super busy. Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise were whipped away to the TV3 studios for an interview with Ireland AM, closely followed by another with 2FM’s Bláthnaid Treacy. That day they got to meet and greet the many members of the public anxious to congratulate them, it was busy but the girls thoroughly enjoyed the day. And finally to end the occasion there was a black tie, gala dinner that evening in their honour. It was a beautiful evening hosted by broadcaster Áine Kerr with guest speakers such as Dara Ó Briain and BT Managing Director Mr Shay Walsh. The girls were also interviewed following a standing ovation and wowed the crowd of over 140 guests with their impressive knowledge and efforts in making a difference to people’s lives. They also got to once again meet Dr Tony Scott, it was truly an honour to chat with this outstanding gentleman. And just when we thought the night could not get anymore exciting Ms. Madigan was introduced to her idol Dr Norah Patten, Ireland’s first astronaut!
On behalf of the Science Department we’d like to thank Sharon, Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise for being outstanding ambassadors for our school, Presentation Tralee. You’ve led by example, proving yourselves to be young woman who are hardworking, diligent and dedicated in everything you do. Every person you encountered was met with warmth and patience. You’ve all grown in many ways over those few days and months developing not only your scientific and communication skills but your confidence. We couldn’t be more proud of you all and we know that your passion for science will light the way for others to follow.
Helena Madigan Science Deptartment
