THE EXHIBITION THE BT RED COATS
The BT Red Coats The unsung heroes of the annual BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition are the volunteer helpers, BT staff members drafted in to assist during the event. They provide information, usher students in and out of the events in the arena and help make the whole exhibition run smoothly. Providing these “red coats” represents no small contribution on the part of the company who loses the normal work of these staffers for a week. And those who volunteer to take part can be certain of being run off their feet once the exhibition is in full swing. Why do they do it? The reasons vary but the enthusiasm of the students is a key ingredient which in turn inspires the red coats. “What do I get out of volunteering? Sore feet, backache, exhaustion,” says nine-year veteran of the event, Dan Selfridge. He enjoys the buzz and the banter with BT colleagues that wouldn’t happen in the formal work environment. “The sheer inventiveness of the projects inspires me,” he says. Colin McWilliams has been a volunteer for the past five years. He likes seeing BT people at their best and he talks about the student’s enthusiasm. “It is impossible to come away from the RDS after the show and not be at once very tired, very happy and very inspired. It’s the highlight of my year.” For Claire Donnelly it is a mixture of things given the range of roles she has played during her 14 years volunteering as a red coat. She likes working directly with the students and helping them feel at ease while waiting for the judges. She likes working on the registration desk. “I get to speak with the
30
BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
students about their projects and feel their enthusiasm as they arrive into the RDS,” she says. She looks forward to taking part in the milestone 50th exhibition. “After working at this event, we all come away full of energy and ready for the year ahead.” Sharon Ní Cheallaigh feels lucky to have been a part of the team for the past 16 years. She was amongst the first cohort of red coats to take part. A key part is helping the students enjoy the experience, she believes. “Every year we come back, it is very hard to explain the energy, team work and sheer excitement that is felt in the run-up to and during the event itself,” she says. “It is such a positive experience it out-weighs the long days and exhausted feet.” It is impossible to walk away from the event without feeling a sense of pride in a job well done, says Claire Hanrahan who in January will be participating in her 15th exhibition. It is the highlight of her working year she says, “And it makes coming back to work after Christmas so much easier”. “Every single year I am amazed and inspired by what these students do – they come up with amazing ideas, produce fantastic projects and confidently tell their story to the judges and the thousands of people visiting the exhibition.” The buzz and energy is contagious and it encourages Sue Byrne to participate year after year. About to take part in her 6th event she is proud to be a part of it. “It is great to be working with the students and judges, and of course with our own BT teams, some of whom I only meet once a year at the event,” she says. “It is hard work but the commitment, camaraderie and just plain good old fun is what makes it work and what makes me come back every year.”
