Naughton congratulates Galway’s young scientists

Fine Gael Senator for Galway West/ South Mayo, Hildegarde Naughton today (Wednesday) congratulated Galway’s young scientists after meeting with some of them at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2015.  

“This year is the 51st Young Scientist exhibition. 550 projects have qualified to exhibit this week, from a record entry of 2,000. They come from all over Ireland, North and South.  The event in the RDS attracts about 40,000 attendees annually making it one of the biggest of its kind. 

“20 projects from Galway schools qualified this year, ranging from an investigation into the viral sensation that was the “ice bucket challenge” to a very interesting project predicting tidal and storm surge height in Galway. 

“The first competition was held in 1965 and the first winner, John Monaghan, has recently retired as Chief Executive of Avigen, a large US Biotech company. From that auspicious beginning, the competition has gone from strength to strength, giving pupils hands-on experience of their discipline, outside the confines of the classroom. 

“All of the students and teachers involved deserve huge credit for the hard work, talent, and ingenuity they have displayed in getting this far in the competition.

“I was delighted to attend the RDS event again this year and congratulate all the entrants from Galway who are taking part.”