Schools Science Prize awarded to Oxfordshire pupils.
The Schools Science Prize celebration, which took place on 20th October 2009 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, was awarded to 37 year 9 and year 10 pupils for their work in science.
Adam Gillett, a Year 10 pupil from Fitzharry’s School said: “I would like to thank you for the evening which was very enjoyable. It’s made me strongly consider looking for a work experience placement in science, perhaps at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.”
Before receiving their prizes, the pupils were introduced to the world-leading science at the laboratory. Pupils from counties across the South were given a fascinating insight into the work at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, discovering how lasers could be used to solve global energy problems in the future by providing cheap clean energy from fusion power.
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s Senior Manager in Education and Public Outreach Jo Lewis said: “Science is fundamental to understanding the world around us. It has contributed to the discovery and development of many things that we all now take for granted. What we want to achieve through the annual Schools Science Prize is to inspire more young people to develop their interest in science and become the skilled workforce and science-savvy citizens of tomorrow.”
OISSP continues to support schools partnership activity across Oxfordshire, with this years programme of projects and events being very much focused on initiatives which support pupils’ interest and motivation in science subjects.
Oxfordshire schools involved in the ceremony are listed below:
Fitzharrys School |
Abingdon |
Larkmead School |
Abingdon |
The School of St Helen and St Katharine |
Abingdon |
Bloxham School |
Banbury |
Burford School |
Burford |
Chipping Norton School |
Chipping Norton |
Didcot Girls’ School |
Didcot |
St Birinus School |
Didcot |
Faringdon Community College |
Faringdon |
Shiplake College |
Henley-on-Thames |
Matthew Arnold School |
Oxford |
Cranford House School |
Oxford |
Headington School |
Oxford |
Leckford Place School |
Oxford |
Oxford High School |
Oxford |
St Edward's School |
Oxford |
Henry Box School |
Witney |
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Science and Technology Facilities Council ensures the UK retains its leading place on the world stage by delivering world-class science; accessing and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships.
The Council has a broad science portfolio including Astronomy, Particle Physics, Particle Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Space Science, Synchrotron Radiation, Neutron Sources and High Power Lasers. In addition the Council manages and operates three internationally renowned laboratories:
- The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire
- The Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire
- The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh
The Council gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the European organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, which includes the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory.