Science & Technology in Action

Introduction

It is undoubtedly very satisfying to compete and win a valuable prize in any competition. Imagine winning an award at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Imagine even representing Ireland in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists. These would be unforgettable experiences. Nevertheless, it is important to recognise that all BTYSTE participants, whether or not they win a prize, will benefit significantly from the experience. The Exhibition itself is the final stage in a process that can last for months and it is during this period that a wide range of valuable benefits, in terms of skills, will be developed. When you decide to take part you will need to follow the guidelines on how to go about choosing, organising and carrying out your project. Check the website at https://btyoungscientist.com/inspire-me/ to become familiar with these guidelines.

What may not be obvious is the fact that, by engaging in the required processes, you will naturally develop a range of irreplaceable skills that last a lifetime. In this lesson we discuss some of these skills, concentrating on those that are frequently referred to as life skills, social skills or interpersonal skills.

What are life skills?

In general, the term ‘life skills’ encompasses any skill that is necessary when dealing with everyday life experiences. Such skills help us to adapt our behaviour in order to deal with any challenges or problems that arise in our lives. Such skills are considered to be very valuable because, without them, we would not be active and positive members of our communities. In other words, the life skill set allows us to cope with any issues that challenge us and to exploit any opportunities that come our way. It is obvious that there are many life skills and, accordingly, the combination is often referred to as the life skills set.

Life skills are generally developed through experience and practice, even though such practice may not be deliberate. If you are open to learning and do not easily give up when problems arise, you will enjoy the life skill benefits that the BTYSTE experience delivers. These benefits are directly related to the required BTYSTE project processes as shown in the panel.