THE closing date for entries for the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2008 is almost upon us. Friday, October 5, is the final day to submit entries for the 44th Young Scientist, the longest running and largest exhibition of its kind in Europe, which takes place next January.

A record-breaking 1,278 projects were entered last year and the organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure demand continues to grow for one of the 500 coveted places in the finals at the RDS in Dublin next year. Organisers are calling especially on schools in the north to come forward and take part in one of the most exciting and educational events of the year.

Both the quality and the quantity of projects submitted for entry has increased in recent years, so all second-level students are urged to put their best foot forward and to work on a strong submission straight away.

Every year students continue to challenge themselves by asking and answering a diverse range of questions. Now is the time for those thinking caps to go on again, as we look forward to discovering the scientists, mathematicians and technologists of the future.

"The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has seen the number of projects entered from across the island double in recent years. We are proud in BT to offer this platform to encourage our young people to put their scientific knowledge into practice," said Chris Clark, Chief Executive Officer, BT Ireland.

"The Young Scientist Experience gives competing students a remarkable insight into the practical side of science in an interactive and fun way and we would expect the Exhibition to continue to attract a high level of entries this year."

The exhibition encourages students to observe the science that is all around them. To translate what has been learned from a text book and to put it into practice while comparing and contrasting their discoveries with those of their peers. It is a unique event.

The core competition itself has remained pure to the sciences over its 43 year history, while the four additional exhibition halls include interactive shows and demonstrations offering the general public and others, who traditionally may not have an interest in science, the opportunity to experience science in a fun, interesting and entertaining way.

The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition will be held in the RDS from January 9-12 and open to the public on January 10-12. For more information, visit www.btyoungscientist.ie or call 0800 917 1297.