Oxfordshire students receive prestigious Physics awards at RAL

Oxfordshire students enthusiastic about physics received Sixth Form Physicists of the Year (2009/10) Awards at one of the UK’s most prestigious science venues on Thursday 11 February. The awards, which recognise outstanding achievement and enthusiasm for physics in Oxfordshire’s schools, were presented to the thirteen students from Year 13 (Upper Sixth) at an exciting ceremony at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC’s) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), near Harwell.

Picture shows left to right, front row:- Iain Butler, St Birinus School, Didcot, Diana Kennedy, Didcot Sixth Form College, Didcot, Emily Maw, The School of St  Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon, Hermione Stanley, Rye St. Antony School, Oxford, Natalie Fung, Gosford Hill School, Kidlington, Robin Bailey, Wheatley Park School, Oxford, Rachel Salter, Oxford High School, Back row:- Jo Lewis, RAL, Michael Cole, Faringdon Community College, Tim Simmons, Chief Executive of the Ogden Trust, Professor Bill David, ISIS, Chris Bryan, Headteacher, Didcot Sixth Form College, David Owen, Matthew Arnold School, Oxford, Iain Shorter, Chipping Norton School  and  Rebecca Brown, Kingham Hill School, Chipping Norton.  Photo:  STFC

The Sixth Form Physicists of the Year award aims to inspire students to continue their passion for science and is sponsored by STFC, Oxfordshire Independent/State School Partnership (OISSP) and The Ogden Trust. The students were nominated for the awards by their schools. Each student received book tokens to the value of £25 and a list of science books to help them develop their interest in the subject.

Before being presented with their prizes, the students enjoyed a thought-provoking lecture by Professor Bill David, STFC Senior Scientist at RAL’s world-leading ISIS neutron facility. Focusing on the critical challenges of climate change and clean energy, Bill gave an insight into the breadth and importance of research at RAL, and the opportunities for physics-related careers in areas ranging from Space Research to Materials Science.

 “When I was at school, science was dominated by the dream of putting a man on the moon and of exploring our solar system and beyond. Nowadays, the view from space that dominates our headlines is of a planet that is changing because of our impact on the environment. Our challenge today is to continue to boldly go where no-one has gone before. The journey, however, is not principally out into the universe but rather down into the invisible sub-microscopic world that ranges from atoms and molecules to proteins and cells. It is here that the science that determines the technology of the 21st century and the future of our planet will be discovered.”

Jo Lewis, STFC Education and Public Liaison Manager said, “There has never been a greater need for enthusiastic and talented young people like today’s award-winners to tackle the huge scientific and technological challenges we and future generations face. At RAL, we are tackling many of these issues from Earth observation and the development of new routes to fusion reactors to the creation of alternative electric and hydrogen technologies for transportation. The opportunities not only to understand more about our Universe but also to make a material difference to our planet have never been so great.”

This year, the 13 participating schools include state and independent schools and colleges from Didcot, Oxford, Abingdon, Chipping Norton, Faringdon, Kidlington, Bicester and Banbury.

The award ceremony was attended by the students, their parents and teachers, and sponsors.