International Success for CREST Winner
International success for CREST student
Belfast student Owen McMeel, who has been in Reno, USA this week competing at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), has scooped $500 (£330) after winning fourth place in the field of electrical and mechanical engineering, and a trip to China awarded as a special prize by the China Association for Science and Technology.
Intel ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college science competition and saw Owen, 19, and Rosy Halfyard (18) from Cavendish School, Hemel Hempstead, representing the UK and competing among over 1,500 students from more than 40 nations across the globe.
Both Rosy and Owen gained their place to attend the international event at the Big Bang: UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair organised by The British Science Association in collaboration with the Young Engineers and Engineering Technology Board and other supports in March. Rosy undertook her project as part of a four week placement in the microbiology department at the Bio Products Laboratory (BPL), funded by a Nuffield Bursary. She examined the impact of disinfectants on superbug strains to help slow their spread and reduce the likelihood of illness. Owen undertook his project as part of his school coursework and worked outside of the classroom to achieve his CREST Award. He created an innovative product named ‘wire wise’ to help electricians accurately measure the length of wire coming from a reel, to reduce wastage and time consuming manual measurement. He has already applied for a patent for his creative design and looks forward to using the skills he learned from his project at university and beyond.
Katherine Mathieson, Director of Education at the British Science Association, said: 'We are delighted that Owen's talent and creativity in engineering has been recognised at an international level. This comes on top of the recognition that both Owen and Rosy have already received through the prestigous CREST and Nuffield schemes and the National Science and Engineering Competition. Schemes like these are vital for ensuring that our young scientists and engineers continue to be among the best in the world. "
The British Science Association would like to thank Intel for sponsoring the trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair, and AstraZeneca and Research Councils UK for their sponsorship of CREST.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Ellie Chambers, British Science Association
Tel: +44 (0)20 7019 4945
Email: ellie.chambers@britishscienceassociation.org
Note for Editors
About the British Science Association
The British Science Association is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org.
CREST Star Investigators is a UK-wide programme that provides schools and other organisations with packs full of motivating activities to use in after-school clubs. The activities focus on thinking and talking about science, encouraging children to solve scientific problems through practical investigation. It was launched in 2007 to ensure a smooth transition to secondary CREST, which gives young people aged 11-19 the opportunity to explore the real nature of STEM by doing their own creative problem solving through projects.
More information about CREST and CREST Star Investigators can be found at www.britishscienceassociation.org/ccaf.
Belfast student Owen McMeel, who has been in Reno, USA this week competing at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), has scooped $500 (£330) after winning fourth place in the field of electrical and mechanical engineering, and a trip to China awarded as a special prize by the China Association for Science and Technology.
Intel ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college science competition and saw Owen, 19, and Rosy Halfyard (18) from Cavendish School, Hemel Hempstead, representing the UK and competing among over 1,500 students from more than 40 nations across the globe.
Both Rosy and Owen gained their place to attend the international event at the Big Bang: UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair organised by The British Science Association in collaboration with the Young Engineers and Engineering Technology Board and other supports in March. Rosy undertook her project as part of a four week placement in the microbiology department at the Bio Products Laboratory (BPL), funded by a Nuffield Bursary. She examined the impact of disinfectants on superbug strains to help slow their spread and reduce the likelihood of illness. Owen undertook his project as part of his school coursework and worked outside of the classroom to achieve his CREST Award. He created an innovative product named ‘wire wise’ to help electricians accurately measure the length of wire coming from a reel, to reduce wastage and time consuming manual measurement. He has already applied for a patent for his creative design and looks forward to using the skills he learned from his project at university and beyond.
Katherine Mathieson, Director of Education at the British Science Association, said: 'We are delighted that Owen's talent and creativity in engineering has been recognised at an international level. This comes on top of the recognition that both Owen and Rosy have already received through the prestigous CREST and Nuffield schemes and the National Science and Engineering Competition. Schemes like these are vital for ensuring that our young scientists and engineers continue to be among the best in the world. "
The British Science Association would like to thank Intel for sponsoring the trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair, and AstraZeneca and Research Councils UK for their sponsorship of CREST.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Ellie Chambers, British Science Association
Tel: +44 (0)20 7019 4945
Email: ellie.chambers@britishscienceassociation.org
Note for Editors
About the British Science Association
The British Science Association is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org.
CREST Star Investigators is a UK-wide programme that provides schools and other organisations with packs full of motivating activities to use in after-school clubs. The activities focus on thinking and talking about science, encouraging children to solve scientific problems through practical investigation. It was launched in 2007 to ensure a smooth transition to secondary CREST, which gives young people aged 11-19 the opportunity to explore the real nature of STEM by doing their own creative problem solving through projects.
More information about CREST and CREST Star Investigators can be found at www.britishscienceassociation.org/ccaf.
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