Exhibition Rules
Terms and Conditions governing the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2009 (the "Exhibition")
The following rules are designed to ensure that the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is conducted as fairly and as efficiently as possible.
Infringement of any of the Rules listed below may lead to the debarring of individuals or schools from future participation in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
1. General Rules
1.1 The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is organized and sponsored by BT Communications Ireland Limited whose decision on all matters relating to the Exhibition will be final.
1.2. A non-refundable entry fee of €20/£16) per student is required. N.B. Manual entries are subject to an administration surcharge of €10/£8 per project (i.e. those projects entered by post or hand delivered and not entered online). This charge has become necessary due to the increasing costs involved in the data capture of every project that is entered.
1.3. The closing date for receipt of postal entries is Monday 6th October 2008 .Under no circumstances can late entries be accepted.
1.4. Submission of an entry will not automatically ensure the acceptance of a project for the Exhibition. A panel of screening judges will select the projects to go forward to the R.D.S. and their decisions are final.
1.5. Students can only win the title BT Young Scientist(s) of the Year once. Previous winners of the title are not eligible to re-enter the competition in subsequent years.
1.6 Projects that have been entered in other competitions may be accepted as entries to Young Scientist, provided that this information is stated on the entry form
1.7 Second Level students aged between 12 -18 years on 31st October 2008, resident in any part of Ireland, are eligible to enter.
1.8 Students educated at home i.e. not attending a school or college, are eligible to enter, provided that they are registered with the National Education Welfare Board and supply a copy of the registration certificate with their entry form.
1.9 There are three age groups in which to enter:
- Junior
- Intermediate
- Senior
N.B - the age group is determined by the year in which the student(s) is studying at the time of the Exhibition (January 2009).
1.10. Students attending Primary Schools or Third Level Colleges are NOT eligible to enter.
1.12. Projects can be submitted in one of the categories listed below.
There are four categories in which to enter:
- Biological & Ecological Sciences
- Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences
- Social & Behavioural Sciences
- Technology
1.13. Where a student wrongly classifies a project, the judges will have the right to decide its appropriate classification.
Individual/Group Projects - Projects must be submitted as either an Individual or Group Project.
1.14. Individual projects may be submitted in any one of the categories listed (see section entitled 'Categories'). Each student may submit one project only. Once a project has been accepted as an Individual Project and has qualified to compete in the R.D.S, it cannot be re-classified as a Group Project.
1.15. Group Projects may be submitted in any one of the categories listed (see section entitled ‘Categories’). Each student group may submit one project only. A group member may be associated with only one project entry. Groups will consist of either two or three members in the same year group (Junior, Intermediate or Senior) from the same school. Once a project has been accepted as a Group Project and has qualified to compete in the R.D.S., it cannot be re-classified as an Individual Project.
1.16. Each group must appoint a group leader who will direct the work and later act as a spokesperson. All group members must be in attendance at the Exhibition.
1.17. All members of a group should be fully involved, share the work and be familiar with everything that is going on. The final work should reflect the coordinated efforts of all group members.
1.18. In some instances individuals/groups may need to change the number of people in their accepted project group where they decrease/increase the numbers of those on their teams. These changes need to be made in writing to BT before the 5th December 2008, failure to do so will lead to the project being judged in the original grouping in which it was entered.
1.19. Students whose projects involve studies of live animals must ensure that such studies are carried out in conformity with the statutory regulations. Copies of the regulations are available from the Department of Health, Custom House, Dublin 1.
Visit:
www.dohc.ie/public/information/environmental_health
www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/aw/aw_legislation/ scientific/86-609-eec_en.pdf
1.20. The nature of a project will determine the equipment used in the project. The merit of a project will lie in the use made of scientific apparatus and in an exhibitor's understanding of its functions, not in the equipment itself.
1.21. Before a project involving potentially dangerous, pathogenic, toxigenic or allergenic organisms (animals/insects, plants or microorganisms) is undertaken/entered, a competent expert must be consulted to advise on health and safety issues.
1.22. Projects involving the use of chemicals should list those to be used as part of the exhibit in the R.D.S. in the Project Details form.
1.23. It is expected that all or the majority of the work for a project will be conducted either in the school, home or the outside environment. Understandably, some projects may involve visiting distant locations. Students may seek advice or information about their project from sources beyond their school, such as on the 'web' or from government organisations, or from universities, institutes of technology or other experts. However, it is recommended that the majority of students' work should be conducted under the supervision of their relevant teachers, with, where appropriate, suitable levels of involvement by parents, guardians or other responsible adults. Where experimental /research work is conducted by the students themselves, or on their behalf, in a laboratory that is external to their school (e.g. in a local university, a hospital or an industry) then that work should be clearly identified and acknowledged within the project report book and presentation. In addition, it is a requirement that a cover letter from the external facility, describing the extent of the assistance provided and the work done by the students within that facility or undertaken on behalf of the student(s), will be included in the project report book.
2. Qualified Projects
Refers only to projects that qualify to exhibit at the R.D.S.
2.1. Some students who have had their project accepted for exhibition may find themselves unable to complete it. It is very important that the organisers are immediately notified of this. Failure to notify BT of a withdrawal in good time results in empty stands at the R.D.S. and causes disappointment with both other students and the visiting public. If a project has to be withdrawn please let the organisers know immediately. By e-mail: youngscientist@bt.com
N.B. Schools failing to notify the organisers of a withdrawal in writing, in advance of the Exhibition, are liable to a penalty of €100/£80
2.2 Project content and material remains the property of the exhibitors but may be used by BT for exhibition or publication. If students have a project with elements that have commercial potential and for which they seek patents they are recommended to have it registered before the Exhibition. Visit www.patentsoffice.ie for more information on this.
2.3. Projects shown at previous BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibitions will not be accepted unless the project has undergone significant further development. Projects that represent a continuation of previously entered work in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition should have a significant amount of new material. Previously presented data must be clearly indicated as such in the Report Books and in the display.
2.4. The BT Young Scientist(s) of the Year may not represent any other country or organisation until the following year's prizewinners are announced. The BT Young Scientist(s) may not represent themselves as BT Young Scientists at any time without the prior written consent of BT.
2.5. The judges reserve the right to withhold awards in the event of projects not reaching a satisfactory standard.
2.6. The judges' decision in all matters relating to the award of prizes will be final. BT or other sponsors will not attempt to influence the judges' decisions.
3. Display of Exhibits at the R.D.S.
Refers only to projects that qualify to participate at the R.D.S.
3.1. BT provides exhibition stands of uniform size and design. Exhibits must be within the limits of the stand dimension. Back display panel is 1189mm wide by 841mm high and the worktop is 1200mm wide by 600mm deep. Projects not conforming to this regulation size may be disqualified.
3.2. Exhibitors will be responsible for transporting their projects to and from the Exhibition hall within the time allocated and to supply all ancillary apparatus and mountings used for their display of their projects.
3.3. Exhibitors will be required to assemble their own projects in the R.D.S. Main Hall within the time allocated.
3.4. BT will NOT accept responsibility for damage to, or loss of, exhibits or personal belongings. Exhibitors are advised to remove valuable equipment from unattended stands.
3.5. Exhibits MUST be safely designed and constructed and MUST NOT use as part of the display, any dangerous equipment or open flames, any toxic, flammable, explosive or irritant chemicals, or any pathogenic, toxigenic or allergenic organism (animals/insects, plant or microorganisms). Live mammals, birds, amphibians or reptiles MAY NOT be presented in exhibits.
3.6. Exhibitors are asked to refrain, where possible, from using brand names of firms/sponsors in their display. Confine reference to brands or firms to your Report Book.
3.7. Exhibiting students must be present at their stands during all rounds of judging of projects at the R.D.S.
3.8. Exhibiting students will be expected to remain at their stands during the Exhibition to speak with the visiting public about their projects. They may not leave the R.D.S. before 5.30p.m. on any day of the Exhibition without prior arrangement with the Young Scientist organisers.
3.9. BT will NOT be responsible for any expenses incurred by the exhibitors in traveling to or from the Exhibition, or during their stay outside those offered in the Accommodation Grant Scheme.
3.10. Each exhibitor should write his/her name on all equipment, charts, Report Books.
3.11. BT will provide direct Internet access only if specified on the Entry Form by closing date Monday 6th October 2008. All usage costs for the duration of the week of the Exhibition may be charged to the student or school.
4. Grant Scheme
4.1. The Accommodation Grant Scheme (the ‘Grant Scheme’) means the availability, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions contained herein and those generally applicable to the Exhibition, of grants of €100/£80 payable to a school in respect of each individual pupil project entry and grants of €200/£160 payable to a school in respect of each group project entry, subject always to a maximum aggregate grant payment under the Grant Scheme per school of €1,000/£800.
4.2. In order to be eligible for any grant under the Grant Scheme, a school must be located
- in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, and
- more than 70 kilometres from the R.D.S. Showgrounds in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (measured in accordance with the service on www.aaireland.ie/routes
4.3 An application for a grant under the Grant Scheme from a school in respect of a project must be submitted by the teacher on behalf of the school (in the section indicated on the Teacher Assessment Form) at the same time as submission of the application for entry of that project. In accordance with the general rules for submission of projects, application for all project entries must be received by BT on or before Monday 6th October 2008. Late applications for grants will not be processed (save in the absolute discretion of BT). It is important therefore that all grant applications be returned by Monday 6th October 2008.
4.4. The Grant Scheme only applies to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2009.
4.5. Eligibility of a school for consideration for any grant in respect of a project under this Grant Scheme is conditional upon that project entry application from that school for the Exhibition having successfully progressed through the Exhibition screening process and having qualified to take part in the finals of the Exhibition.
4.6. Any grant(s) paid to a school hereunder must be used entirely by the school to fund in whole or in part the travel and/or accommodation expenses only of those pupils in respect of whose project(s) the grant(s) was paid.
4.7. BT shall endeavour to pay grants to those schools that are awarded same by BT in accordance with and subject to these terms and conditions on or before 6th January 2008 but BT shall have no liability for failure to pay any such grant on or before such date. In the event that a school has not received a grant payment, which it has been awarded by BT under these terms and conditions by such date, it should contact the BT Young Scientist Organisers' Office during the Exhibition or email a request for payment of same to: youngscientist@bt.com
4.8. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, the Grant Scheme is subject always to a total limit on the amount of grants payable under the Grant Scheme of €50,000/£40,000 (the ‘Fund’) and the Fund will be allocated to those projects first formally approved by BT as eligible for payment of a grant hereunder.
4.9. In the event that a project, in respect of which BT has either paid a grant to a school hereunder, or, confirmed to a school that a grant shall be paid to it hereunder, does not subsequently participate as an entrant in the Exhibition for any reason whatsoever or howsoever arising, the grant shall be reimbursed by the school to BT within thirty (30) days of BT requesting reimbursement of same for this reason where the grant has been paid and the grant shall be deemed not payable where the grant has not yet been paid.
4.9. BT's decision on eligibility of a school or a project entry for a grant hereunder is final.
