President Michael D. Higgins gave the opening speech at the 2024 BTYSTE, marking the 60th anniversary of the exhibition. This event has become one of the longest running events of its kind in the world.
Congratulations to Ava Gaffney and Nicole Kellett, transition year students at Ballinamore Community School in Limerick, for clinching this year’s HEAnet Special Award. The award was presented by Sharon Moylan, Marketing and Events Specialist at HEAnet.
Ara and Nicole’s project, titled ‘Are Our Bus Routes Effective’, delved into the efficiency of the bus routes at their school. Using arcGIS mapping and analysis software, they proposed improvements to minimize carbon emissions, and to reduce travel time and distance. If implemented, the suggested changes would result in optimized bus loads, nearly reaching full capacity on most routes, and only three empty seats in each bus across local routes. Their research underscored the potential transformative impact on school bus systems nationwide.
The HEAnet Special Award was granted in the Behavioural and Social Sciences category, marking a significant achievement for the students. The exhibition, the culminating stage of the competition open to all second-level students in Ireland, North and South, showcased their innovative work.
This year’s event, marking the 60th anniversary of celebrating STEM research and innovation, returned in person for the first time since 2020. HEAnet takes pride in its longstanding support for the BTYSTE, recognizing the importance of nurturing and rewarding the emerging generation of innovators to ensure future technological growth.
Congratulations again to Ava Gaffney and Nicole Kellett on their achievement, and to all other participants and winners.
Here are previous winners of the HEAnet’s Special Award:
HEAnet Special Award, BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2022 – HEAnet
HEAnet Special Award, BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2021 – HEAnet
HEAnet special award, BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2020 – HEAnet
HEAnet special award, BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2019 – HEAnet
HEAnet special award, BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2018 – HEAnet
HEAnet Special Award, BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2017 – HEAnet
