I had to smear mud all over the faces of my friends." This was Mr Donal Mulligan's unscientific-sounding account of one of his scientific projects at yesterday's ceremony to send off 19 Irish students to the 41st London International Youth Science Forum. Already an award winner at the Young Scientist exhibition, where he picked up an award for his analysis of the use of sapropel mud in the cosmetic industry, he will now be a guest of the Royal Dublin Society at the forum. The two-week trip to London will promote a deeper insight in the latest progress, research and endeavour in the sciences.
At yesterday's ceremony, Col William Ringrose of the RDS said: "The society wants to develop an understanding between all people to create co-operation on an international level."
The recipe for Ireland's future success is to enable the elite of science students to meet their international peers and establish connections for the future, he told assembled parents and students.
All the students at yesterday's ceremony displayed a striking enthusiasm for science. Many have competed in other science competitions but for most the forum is the pinnacle of their achievement.
Competitions at school are only a stepping stone to the youth science forum, says Mr Mark Hickey (19), a student of physics and mathematics at UCC.
"When you are at university, they throw you in at the deep end. You have to be really interested to apply yourself."
Among the topics to be discussed at the forum are science and humanity, what objectivity subjects us to and the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Ms Theresa Bradley of Trinity College said: "I'm interested in genetics counselling and working with people with genetic diseases, but I'll have fun as well." There will also be trips to places such as Stonehenge and Oxford to prevent the programme from becoming too theoretical.
According to the chairman of the science committee at the RDS, Mr Chris Shouldice, such events "promote youth science, the scientific heritage and, most importantly, the public appreciation of science, which has been suffering in recent years".