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.
