Strong Clare links to co-winner of BT Young Scientist competition

ONE of the overall winners of this year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) has strong connections to the Banner County it has emerged.

Shane O’Connor, who along with his teammate Liam Carew took home the coveted top award, is the son of Mary O’Connor from Kildysart and her husband Michael.

His cousin Owen O’Connor has wished the pair and their families “heartiest congratulations”.

Shane’s uncles are Mike and Pat Casey, Kings Road Kildysart, his grand aunt is Maureen Corbett of Lisheen, Ballynacally and his grand uncle Tommy Eustace is also from Kildysart.

“The lads were very dedicated and all of their work was recognised with this award.

Shane loves spending time in Kildysart,” said Owen.

Shane and Liam, both aged 18 and in sixth year in the Abbey School, Tipperary won with their project Assessing the impact of second-level education on key aspects of adolescents’ life and development.

The coveted prize was presented to the winners in the RDS in Dublin by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh.

Chair of the Social and Behavioural Sciences Group Judging Panel, Professor Joe Barry said, “What we are looking at here is a very impressive survey conducted in three waves over 24 months with more than 2,000 responses examining how secondary school students perceived school to impact on their social, physical and mental wellbeing.

“One of the key findings coming out of the research was that whilst inequality is prevalent in DEIS[1] schools, exponential improvements in areas of pastoral care and physical health are quickly closing this gap. To quote directly from the students’ research, ‘Secondary school is a vital social outlet for students and this can be seen across our interviews, focus groups and in particular in our survey.”

The 2023 BT Young Scientist & Technology winners received the BTYSTE perpetual trophy and the top prize of €7,500.

The winners will also represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, which takes place in Brussels, Belgium in September 2023. They’ll also get to attend the 64th Annual London International Youth Science Forum this summer.