​Koen Verbruggen presents the Geological Survey Ireland award to Aaron Cullen and Adam Doyle from Portmarnock Community School, Co. Dublin for their project "Cressing The Bridge From Earth To Mars: An Investigation Into Whether A Simulant Of Martian Soil Can Produce Plants in a Martian Environment". 

They looked at simulated Martian soil, to which they added nutrients that would allow cress to grow.  No, they hadn't seen the film Martian before they started their project but they had met staff from NASA who were here in Ireland for a conference. Photo credit: Fennell Photography.

Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) provided once again a large stand at this year's BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. We showcased our main programmes through interactive exhibits including gold panning with Tellus, an augmented reality sandbox with INFOMAR, karst and aquifer models for Groundwater, a "geological map & rock challenge" and a 3D tectonic globe. We were joined by Petroleum Affairs Division who had a drill core and samples of "real Irish oil", Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) "make your own earthquake" and the Natural History Museum with a minerals quiz and "Dead Zoo" Dinosaur exhibit. In addition there were volunteers from the Institute of Geologists of Ireland, the Irish Geological Association and iCRAG. A total of 54 people helped on the stand over the three days of the exhibition, which ran from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 January 2019.

Thank you to all volunteers involved, to those who visited our stand and congratulations to our young winners!

BTYSE 2019 photo gallery