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Local students triumph in battle of UK’s young scientists and
engineers
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- STUDENTS from
the North West have scooped top prizes at the prestigious UK Young
Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair organised by the BA (British
Association for the Advancement of Science) and held at the Centre
of the Cell in London on Friday, 7 March 2008. The event, which
marked the start of National Science and Engineering Week, showcased
outstanding science and technology research projects from students
aged 11 to 19 across the UK.
The following students came away with prizes:-
► Alex White – The King’s School Chester
► Joshua Okhiria – Bury Grammar School, Bury
► Dale Gaskell, Felix Millne – Range High School and Blue Coat
School, Formby, Liverpool
► David Vickers – Calday Grange Grammar School, West Kirby, Wirral
► Lindsey Flanagan – Carmel College, St Helens
► Sumayya Ibrahim, Priya Master, Henna Soni – Moor Park Business &
Enterprise School, Preston
Alex White, 17, from The King’s School Chester, was awarded the
illustrious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
prize to attend the world’s largest pre-college science competition
in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. His project analysed the synthesis and
catalytic properties of a novel group of materials. He found that
they have potential to be used as catalysts in safer, more
environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical reactions widely
used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
Alex was very positive about his Nuffield Bursary-funded research
experience, which consisted of 4 weeks working in Dr Andrew Fogg‘s
research group at the University of Liverpool:- "It was
brilliant to be able to get into a lab and work with PhD students,
using techniques and equipment you don’t have access to at A-Level.
It reinforced that chemistry is the area I want to work in.’
Commenting on his prize, he added:- ‘I’m taken aback
and overjoyed at winning the Intel ISEF prize. I’m still taking in
the huge scale of it. I spoke to two of the previous winners after
the award ceremony and they told me what a hugely influential
experience it had been in their lives. I’m really looking forward to
it."
Joshua Okhiria from Bury Grammar School was awarded the European
Union Contest for Young Scientists prize, an all expenses paid trip
to represent the UK at the prestigious event in Copenhagen.
Dave Gaskell and Felix Millne won the RCUK Laboratory Experience
prize and will be given a unique and privileged view of the
experiments taking place at either the Daresbury or Rutherford
Appleton Laboratory, with the chance to meet the scientists who work
there.
David Vickers and Lindsey Flanagan received the runners-up prize for
Best Gold Level CREST Science project. Their schools will share £750
to help fund and support future CREST and science, technology,
engineering and maths (STEM) projects and David and Lindsey will
share £750, in recognition of their achievements.
Likewise, Moor Park Business & Enterprise School will receive £400
to help fund future CREST and STEM projects, after their students
won the runners-up prize for Best Bronze Level CREST Technology
project for their laser jewellery design. The students will each
receive £10 in tokens.
Sir David King, President of the BA (British Association for the
Advancement of Science) says:- "The achievement of the young
people who gain these prizes is not just winning an exciting trip or
a handsome trophy. In completing their projects they have been able
to work like real scientists and engineers, and to find out for
themselves how enjoyable and rewarding that can be. It is terrific
to see this all come together at the Fair and I hope that many more
young people will have this opportunity in the future."
The BA would like to thank Lloyd's Register Educational Trust,
Research Councils UK and AstraZeneca for their sponsorship, and
Centre of the Cell for their kind provision of the venue.
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LIVERPOOL RESIDENTS WANT PAYSLIPS WITH PURPOSE
LIVERPOOL is
today shown to be a nation that cares with workers longing for more
purpose with their payslip. 9 out of 10 people feel that
making time for themselves and others is essential to their
happiness and wellbeing and would like to make it part of their
everyday work, according to a new survey released by the Department
of Health.
In the ‘Caring Cities Index’, surprisingly, 7.8% of both
Liverpudlians and Londoners said that they don’t have any time for
themselves, a figure that falls below the national average. However,
fewer Liverpudlians (88.9%) would like to do a job that helps others
to get more time for themselves, compared to 90.7% of Londoners.
Across England 8% of people said that they don’t get any time for
themselves, with more northerners (8.5%) pressed for time than
stereotypically stressed southerners (6.9%). Nearly half would
consider paid employment in social care - where they would provide
practical support to people who are injured, frail or unwell so they
can go about their everyday lives.
The survey supports a nation-wide advertising campaign launched by
Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis, which aims to help employers
recruit more people into social care to meet growing demand for
services. Ivan Lewis said:- “Everyone wants to know that what
they do benefits someone - social care workers can get that feeling
everyday. This campaign’s all about getting that message out and
encouraging more people to consider social care work. We know
that people go into social care because the work is rewarding and
flexible, and we know they are happy when they make the move. We
want more people to ask themselves whether social care could be for
them.”
Work psychologist and author Dr Aric Sigman says:-
“Workers
today want more than just a pay cheque. They want a sense of purpose
and accomplishment by helping to improve other people’s lives. It
wouldn't be surprising if more people are drawn to social care.”
Social care workers tend to select hours that suit their lifestyle,
with 37% working part-time and 52% doing shift work. 7 out of 10 are
female and 29% say that social care work fits in well around their
family commitments. 40% of workers were motivated to move into paid
social care because they had always enjoyed working with people they
looked after.
Anyone who wants a better work life balance
while helping to improve the lives of others can find out
more about social care by calling the national Helpline 0845
604 6404 or by going to the
website.
Caring cities index...
- "I would like to do a job that helps others"
- National % of people who agree with the statement:- 90%
Regional % of people who agree with the statement:-
|
Nottingham |
Plymouth |
Norwich |
Leeds |
Bristol |
|
97% |
95% |
94% |
94% |
92% |
|
London |
Sheffield |
Newcastle |
Birmingham |
Manchester |
|
91% |
91% |
90% |
87% |
83% |
- "Getting time for myself is essential"
- National % of people who agree with the statement:- 94%
Regional % of people who with the statement:-
-
|
Plymouth |
London |
Sheffield |
Leeds |
Nottingham |
Norwich |
|
100% |
95% |
95% |
96% |
95% |
94% |
|
Bristol |
Birmingham |
Newcastle
|
Manchester |
Liverpool |
|
|
94% |
91% |
91% |
91% |
88% |
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"I do not have any time for myself"-
- National % of people who agree with the statement:- 8%
Regional % of people who with the statement:-
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|
Newcastle |
Leeds |
London |
Liverpool |
Nottingham |
|
13% |
8% |
8% |
8% |
8% |
|
Sheffield |
Birmingham |
Bristol |
Plymouth |
Manchester |
|
8% |
6% |
6% |
6% |
6% |
|
