450 second-level students from all 32 counties gathered at Dublin City University on Saturday to take part in this year's IBM/DCU Irish Science Olympiad. The Olympiad covers four subject areas: Computer Programming, Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

Gold, silver and bronze medal were presented to the winners by Minister Noel Treacy td. These students will represent Ireland at the International Science Olympiads in Latvia, The Netherlands, Indonesia and Korea in July.

Irish students who win medals at the world finals in July will also receive IBM University scholarships worth £2,000 for gold medal winners, £1,000 for silver and £500 for bronze.

Commenting on the programme, Pauline Knight, Community Relations Manager at IBM Ireland said that this competition was a way of developing interest within secondary school students in an area that may offer great opportunities in their future careers.

"We are delighted that this year's competition includes a scholarship scheme for all successful students at the international competition, which they can use to put towards their future education. Ireland has a high profile in the technology sector in Europe and we need to foster and encourage this interest to maintain our technological lead. As leaders in the technology field, IBM is proud to continue its long association with the IBM/DCU Irish Schools Olympiad", she said.

Michael Cotter (DCU), the Irish Science Olympiad Director congratulated IBM and DCU on this very successful nine-year partnership in the promotion of the Science Olympiads in Irish schools. "This year has seen the biggest entry to date and the standard of the students in the sciences was higher than ever." He congratulated the Science teachers for preparing their students so well.

ENDS