As thousands of students embark on higher education courses this September one young man has enjoyed an inspirational trip to one of the best scientific facilities in the world.
Andrew Cowan, 19 from Sutton Grammar School for Boys in Surrey, was awarded the title of UK Young Engineer of the Year at the annual National Science & Engineering Competition earlier this year where he competed against over 300 other budding scientists.
Part of Andrew’s prize was a trip to the world renowned Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma provided by Research Councils UK (RCUK). This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see first hand one of the major international facilities that are available to UK researchers.
RCUK believe that inspiring the next generation of researchers is vital to the future prosperity of the UK and brings major benefits to our economic and societal wellbeing. Opportunities such as the National Science & Engineering Competition are giving young people a chance to experience what their future career could be.
Andrew had this to say about his trip: “It was incredibly exciting to be in such an amazing place, surrounded by some of the most technologically advanced telescopes in the world. The evening I spent looking at the sky from inside the William Herschel telescope was without a doubt the highlight of the trip. It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had, and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
The National Science & Engineering Competition celebrates the hard work and achievements of young people across the UK and seeks to inspire them to continue their personal development in these disciplines.
Entries to the National Science & Engineering Competition 2012 are now open and the closing date is 31 October 2011. More information is available here.
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Further information
Contact:
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Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592
Notes to editors
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
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The National Science & Engineering Competition is an initiative of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as a response to a recommendation in Lord Sainsbury’s report ‘The Race to the Top’. It is coordinated by the British Science Association in partnership with Young Engineers and The Big Bang. The Competition, open to all 11-18 year olds, accepts projects from all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths. For more information or to enter go to www.nationalsciencecompetition.org