Gaisce and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Joint Award Initiative and BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
Gaisce and BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
Gaisce – The President’s Award is a self-development programme for young people between the ages of 15-25, which is proven* to enhance confidence and wellbeing through participation in personal, physical, community and team challenges. It is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to all young people to dream big and realise their potential.
Gaisce is non-competitive and self-directed: participants progress along each award level (Bronze, Silver or Gold) choosing personal, physical and community activities they wish to undertake and taking part in an adventure journey also. A trained adult mentor, their President’s Award Leader (PAL), supports them throughout the process. The more time and energy participants give, the greater the reward.
Young people who complete the Gaisce programme, receive a medal and certificate signed by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. Should they progress to achieve a Gold award, Michael D. Higgins presents them with this at a special ceremony in Dublin Castle.
Gaisce is active across all 26 counties and, through the Joint Award Initiative, an innovating partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, young people living in Northern Ireland are able to achieve a Gaisce Award at any level too. Through a partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Gaisce Awards are also recognised internationally.
Since its inception in 1985, over 770,000 young people have participated in the Gaisce programme. Today, more than 24,000 young people register for the Gaisce challenge each year, pursuing the award through more than 850 organisations (Gaisce Award Partners) located right across the country. In any one year, Gaisce supports these organisations and the more than 1,200 President Award Leaders (PALs) working and volunteering in them to mentor young people through their Gaisce journey.
Gaisce celebrates the individuality of each participant and ensures while there are many pathways to achieving a Gaisce Award, each Gaisce journey is as unique and expansive as our participants determine and equally recognised.
For more information, please visit www.gaisce.ie
Follow us on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn by searching @GaisceAward
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/Joint Award Initiative and BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
What is The Award?
The Award is the world’s leading youth achievement programme for 14-24 year olds. Operating in over 140 countries around the world, the Award develops young people for life and work. It is a voluntary, non-competitive programme, which gives young people the opportunity to experience new activities or develop existing skills. There are three progressive levels of programmes which when successfully completed lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. Young people create their own programme by choosing activities for the following sections:
- Volunteering – undertaking service to individuals or the community.
- Physical – improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness.
- Skills – developing practical or social skills and personal interests.
- Expedition – planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey.
- And at Gold level, taking part in an additional Residential section, which involves working and staying away from home doing a shared activity.
BTYSTE for your Skills
Participating in BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is a great way for young people to complete the Skills section of their programme. In order to meet the standard for the Skills section at Bronze level, participants must commit at least one hour per week over a minimum of 13 weeks. For further information on time requirements, visit: www.theawardni.org and www.DofE.org.
If you are interested in using your planning, preparation and participation in BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition to count towards the Award at Bronze level, speak to your Leader in your school or organisation you’re involved with to agree how you can record and share your weekly progress.