The purpose of the competition is to encourage interest in science in secondary schools. For the 51st year of the competition in 2016, there were over 2,000 entries, from 396 schools which was the highest number ever, 550 of which were selected for the Exhibition at the
RDS. Students apply to participate in the competition. Their science project entries are evaluated by judges and about one-third of applicants are accepted to participate in the public exhibition. Students are allocated exhibition stands in an exhibition hall where they set up their projects for viewing by the public. Competing projects are judged during the three days of the exhibition, and prizes are awarded. Projects are awarded in five categories: biology, physics, social and behavioural sciences, health and wellbeing, and technology. Health and wellbeing is the newest category, only being added in 2023 to celebrate the 60th anniversary and to lower admissions to social and behavioural sciences. Three levels of entry are accepted: junior, intermediate, and senior.
Aer Lingus sponsored the competition for the first 33 years. It has produced at least one author,
Sarah Flannery, and one billionaire,
Patrick Collison. An award at the event (a bursary offered to individual participants) was named in his memory. Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the first ever virtual Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition was held in January 2021 with over 1,000 students representing more than 200 schools taking part. On 11 February 2025,
BT Ireland announced it would step down as organiser and sponsor of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition after 25 years. In May 2025,
Stripe was announced as the new title sponsor of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, 20 years after co-founder
Patrick Collison won the competition. ==Overall winners by year==