Last week eleven promising year 9 and year 12 physics students were named ‘Portsmouth Schools Physicist of the Year’ for 2013/14 in an awards ceremony at the University of Portsmouth. The students were nominated by their teachers for their hard work, contributions in class and progress made in physics over the school year.
The award-winning students along with their families and teachers were invited to attend a special awards event on Wednesday 9th July where they were presented with a certificate and £25 book token by Professor David Wands, director of the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, and Dr David Franklin, Associate Dean (Students) for the Faculty of Science. Professor Wands also gave an inspirational talk on his path to becoming a cosmologist and some of the big questions about the Universe that researchers are trying to answer at the ICG. Attendees also had the chance to mingle with ICG members over light refreshments and find out more about physics at the University of Portsmouth.
The Schools Physicist of the Year (SPOTY) awards is a nationwide initiative sponsored by The Ogden Trust, with additional support from the South East Physics Network (SEPnet) for the Portsmouth awards. It was organised by Dr Jen Gupta, the SEPnet/Ogden Outreach Officer for the ICG, with help from the university’s Education Liaison and Outreach Team. Nominations for next year’s SPOTY awards are expected to open in May 2015.
The 2013/14 Portsmouth Schools Physicist of the Year award winners were:
Year 9
Molly Allsop-Smith (Horndean Technology College)
Emily Bower (Portsmouth High School)
Louis Greaves (The Portsmouth Grammar School)
Matthew King (Cowplain Community School)
Daniel Macedo (Mayfield School)
Will Udy (Oaklands Catholic School)
Year 12
Jack Bradley (The Arnewood School)
Kirin Gallop (Portsmouth High School)
Oliver Harris (Oaklands Catholic School)
Lewis Sudbury (Portsmouth College)
Alex Todd (The Portsmouth Grammar School)