Students from 450 schools, North and South, can look forward to engaging soon in some "computer gymnastics". A large truck converted to a "computer gym" will be arriving on their doorsteps needing just a power point and phone link to gain Internet access.
The gym, which caters for 16 students at a time, was sent on its way yesterday by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Noel Treacy, but it will not be travelling far just yet as it is parked at the RDS for the Young Scientist Exhibition.
The mobile computer classroom, library and workshop is sponsored by Esat Telecom, and will visit both secondary and primary schools over coming months. But it will concentrate on younger students in an effort to introduce them to science and information technology.
Mr Treacy paid tribute to this first initiative of its kind "to bring the latest in educational computer technology to the doorstep of schools throughout the country".
"It is an exciting and developmental initiative which will help teachers and students maximise the use of information technology in their schools," according Mr Sean Corkery, Esat Telecom's chief operations officer.
Computer Gym is a company which specialises in providing information technology experience not only to schools but also communities and the corporate sector. The Esat Telecom gym has a science-based curriculum with an aim to involve as many young people as possible, particularly from primary schools.
"They have been the poor relation when it comes to information technology," said Mr Gary Leyden, whose company has a total of five mobile classrooms.
Judging of entries began yesterday and will continue today, when the President, Mrs McAleese, will visit the exhibition. The main winners will be announced by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, tomorrow evening, while the exhibition opens to the public from 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Entrants to this year's exhibition are being introduced to The Irish Times Web edition and Internet search facilities at the newspaper's stand in the adjoining Shelbourne Hall.
A special Irish Times Simplex crossword competition for participating students is also being held daily.
