Coming up to the week of the Young Scientist it was a whirlwind of activity, trying to get everything done and ready. There was my fifty-page Report Book to finish, and my favourite, the visual display. My project was to see if it is possible to devise a simple home-test to check if milk is going sour before it actually goes sour.  I did home testing on different milk samples every day before it went sour.

At home I tested pH, smell, taste, and reaction to heat, and I also did laboratory testing to back up my home tests.  I found that, as expected, as milk got older and was going off the pH did drop but only slightly.  This meant that it was not possible for me to get a simple home test based on pH change.  I did learn a lot about milk and acidity and it was very interesting putting all my results together.

When I went in on Tuesday to set up my display, I marvelled at the size of the place. Though I’ve been in the Young Scientist before, the size of it never ceases to amaze me.  I put up my display (and noticed there was hardly anyone from Dublin around me).

On Wednesday it all kicked-off.  The country people came up earlier to set up their displays, and when I came in all the projects were set up, and the place was buzzing.

We all went into the BT arena for the opening ceremony where President Mary McAleese came and made a speech. Then we all went back to our stands and nervously awaited our first round of judging.

The rest of the week went very quickly. Thankfully my stand got some media attention.  I was interviewed by Newstalk, got my picture taken for the Dun Laoghaire Gazette, and my picture taken with local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Barry Andrews.  The judging went well. Three judges came at different times on Wednesday and Thursday and talked to me about my project.  They spent about twenty minutes each with me and seemed pleased with my answers

Then came Friday.  The morning went slowly, but there was a good bit of interest in my project.  Then at lunchtime all of 4^th Year came in, and that kept me busy for a while.

Friday evening the Awards Ceremony was held.  Unfortunately I didn’t win a prize, but the standard was very high, and it was an achievement getting to the final.

Saturday was a busy day with a lot of people in to see the exhibition.  I looked at the winner’s project and had a chat with the winner. I also got a chance to go up to the Media Centre where two of the people running it spoke to me about careers in Public Relations and Event Management. Late in the afternoon, projects started coming down, and just after 5 o’clock, I took my display down.

Looking back at my experience in the Young Scientist Exhibition, it was hard work but very worthwhile, and the hard work pays off.  I learned a lot, I made new friends, met some old friends again, and talked to the current winner and a past winner of the BT Young Scientist.  I would definitely recommend you get thinking about a project and submit an entry in September.