1. Home
2.  / Press and Media
3.  / Press Releases
4.  / Remarkable experiences in science for young prize winners

Remarkable experiences in science for young prize winners

Three young people embarked on special trips to some of the most prestigious scientific facilities in the world, thanks to Research Councils UK (RCUK).

As prize winners of the National Science + Engineering Competition 2013 at the Big Bang Fair 2013, Phillippa Nightingale, Fred Turner and Emily O’Regan were each treated to exclusive scientific trips provided by RCUK where they had an opportunity to meet with scientists and take part in exciting experiments.

Phillippa’s investigation into the stickiness of chewing gum won the RCUK Best Use of Research Award. Through the project she discovered that, although chewing gum is a large environmental problem in terms of looking unsightly, it actually has many health benefits such as aiding concentration and helping patients recover in hospital. Her reward was a visit to the Diamond Light Source – the UK’s national synchrotron science facility in Oxfordshire.

She said: “The trip has given me a wider idea of what being a researcher is and helped me to start thinking about what I could do in the future. It was definitely worth visiting Diamond as I have never had an opportunity like this before.”

Fred Turner’s creation of a genetics lab at home earned him the title of Young Engineer of the Year. The ‘experience’ part of his prize was to visit CERN in Geneva where he had the opportunity to visit the area where they test each segment of the accelerator before installing it into the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Fred also went underground to see the CMS experiment, which he described as a real highlight of the trip.

“I was obviously really excited to visit one of the leading centres for physics research in the world”, he said. “I’d seen a lot of pictures before I went but actually being there felt surreal!”

Young Scientist of the Year winner Emily O’Regan also visited CERN for her prize. She won the award for her investigation into breeding patterns in a flock of flamingos. She identified a correlation between temperature and display of courtship as well as the impact that the presence of seagulls has on the behaviour of the flock.

She said: “It was very exciting to have the chance to visit the various projects and machinery. I was a little nervous because I knew how big it was and how much went on there. It was a fantastic trip and a very fun experience.”

Dr Kerry Leslie, Head of RCUK Public Engagement with Research, said: “RCUK believes that inspiring the next generation of researchers is vital to the future prosperity of the UK and brings major benefits to our economic and social wellbeing. Opportunities such as the National Science + Engineering Competition are giving young people a chance to experience what their future career could be.”

The National Science + Engineering Competition is coordinated by the British Science Association and is open to all 11-18 year olds living in the UK and in full-time education. The Competition rewards students who have achieved excellence in a science, technology, engineering or maths project. Entries are now open for the online application of the Competition and close on 31 October 2013.

- ends -

Further information

Contact:
Katie Clark
Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592 or email: Katie Clark

Notes to editors

1. Phillippa Nightinglae has written a blog about her experiences at Diamond, which is available on the RCUK blog site.

2. Registration for the Big Bang Fair 2014 opens in October and the Fair will be running from 13 to 16 March 2014 at the NEC, Birmingham. Further information is available from www.thebigbangfair.co.uk.

3. The British Science Association coordinates the National Science + Engineering Competition in partnership with The Big Bang Fair and Young Engineers. The Competition is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). A number of institutions and organisations also provide specific additional prizes for Competition winners. The Competition is open to 11-18 year olds from across the UK who completed a project or activity in any field of science, technology, engineering or maths. For more information, visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/nsec.cfm

4. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, 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).