Today in Finland, young scientists from Ireland, Switzerland and Lithuania were awarded the highest accolade at the 23rd European Union Contest for Young Scientists. Their prize winning science projects in computing, engineering and medicine were selected by an International jury as the best from among the 87 projects from 37 countries which were presented at this 5-day event. Teams from Germany, United Kingdom and Bulgaria were awarded second prizes. Third prizes went to teams from Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom. Finally a special International prize was won by a project from New Zealand. The prize winners - all under the age of 21 years - will share prize money totalling € 51.500.
Annex at www.tek.fi/ci/pdf/EUCYS_2011_Annex_20110927.pdf
"Young, talented researchers will help shape our future. We need to find answers to society´s biggest challenges such as climate change, finding sustainable sources of energy, feeding the world or fighting disease. So I encourage young people to follow a career in science and keep Europe world-class in research and innovation" said European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
The award ceremony was held in the Celebration Hall of the Helsinki University. The prizes were presented by Tapio Kosunen, State Secretary from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Government of Finland, Anneli Pauli, the European Commission´s Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation, and Professor Maria Ana Viana-Baptista, the President of the Jury.
Kattilahalli, an old power plant transformed for cultural projects, has over the last few days hosted more than 130 contestants from 37 countries across Europe and beyond and one of the European schools. From 23-27 September, the students presented 87 projects to an International Jury chaired by Prof. Maria Ana Viana-Baptista. These projects had already won first prize in their national contests. The topics covered a broad spectrum of scientific areas: biology, chemistry, computing, social sciences, environment, mathematics, materials, engineering and medicine. The standard of entries is consistently high, and several past participants have achieved major scientific breakthroughs, or set up businesses to market the ideas developed for the Contest.
Background:
The European Union Contest for Young Scientists was set up by the European Commission to facilitate co-operation and interchange between young scientists with similar abilities and interests and to give them an opportunity to be guided by some of the most prominent scientists in Europe.
The Contest aims to encourage young people who have an interest in science to embark on scientific careers.
It is part of the Science and Society programme under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7).
The contest started in 1989 with the participation of 15 countries. This year, 37 countries and one of the European Schools are taking part in the 23rd edition of the contest.
A total of 2208 participants (667 girls - 1541 boys) have competed since the start of this International event. More than 500 prizes have been distributed!
More information about the EU Contest for Young Scientists "´ also previous years "´including photos, success stories, and biographical details of the jury and descriptions of all projects can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/research/youngscientists/index_en.cfm
You can also download material at:
Login: eucys-press
Password: py5$mFqQ
Information added by the local organizer in Finland:
Photos can be downloaded at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/myscience/
TV-quality video (5.3 GB) can be downloaded and previewed at:
http://eucys2011.tek.fi/content/media/
