Young Scientist of the Year success for Portsmouth High students

Portsmouth High School was delighted to hear that Sixth Former, Christine Addae-Kyereme, 18, (pictured centre, above) was a runner-up for Young Scientist of the Year 2017 competition at the Big Bang Competition in Birmingham.

Over 200 finalists from across the country were selected to show their ideas at the Big Bang Fair where ten were then shortlisted to pitch Dragon’s Den-style to a panel of high profile judges, including astronaut Helen Sharman and Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE.

Christine’s project was one of the five shortlisted for science.

‘I was fortunate enough to attend the Big Bang Fair due to my Nuffield Research placement which I completed last summer,’ said Christine. ‘I investigated the effect of an FGF [Fibroblast growth factors] protein of gene expression in cells. It was an amazing opportunity which allowed me to share my knowledge with adults and children who attended the Big Bang Fair. It was an extraordinary gathering of young engineers and scientist who inspired me with their creativity and passion for science and technology.’

Other PHS participants were Isabel Boden in Year 13 who, too, showcased her Nuffield Research Science Project and a team of young engineers Maleha Khan, Hannah Burford, Jade Cutler and Tasnia Mahmood who demonstrated their adaptable wheel for the Airbus Curiosity Rover.

‘Being shortlisted from thousands of STEM Projects nationally to the final 200 is a massive achievement for our girls and they have worked so hard at the fair this week as well as competing for the prizes; we are so proud of them and wish them every success in their chosen career paths in the future,’ said Mrs Sammy Davies Head of Careers at Portsmouth High School, who accompanied the girls to the NEC.

The National Science and Engineering Competition, organised by the British Science Association, is an annual contest open to pupils aged between 11-18, and gives participants the chance to compete for top prizes and international experiences worth over £50,000.

Imran Khan, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said:

‘Now in its ninth year, our contest has become renowned for recognising, rewarding and inspiring thousands of talented youngsters in all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We need to nurture a new generation of people who feel comfortable and confident engaging with science and engineering, and the Competition offers a great incentive to get youngsters experimenting to show them that science is for everyone.’

Find out more about The Big Bang Fair 2017.