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Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Bolton School Sixth Form Boys got the chance to present their
findings from cutting edge research at the Big Bang: UK Young
Scientists & Engineers Fair, the biggest celebration of
science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the UK.
The boys were finalists in the National Science &
Engineering Competition which took centre stage at the fair, held
this year for the first time outside of London, at Manchester
Central. Toryn Dalton displayed his research on the role of the
CLN3 gene in Batten Disease, and Elliot Yates his research into
Osteoarthritic Progression. Both boys worked in collaboration with
the University of Manchester on their research projects, and had
their own stands at the fair to show off their hard work to over
15,000 scientists, engineers, students, parents, employers,
teachers and celebrities.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Drayson, Minster for Science and
Innovation, launched the event. He said: "The purpose of The
Big Bang is to inspire young people about science and engineering;
the future generations we need in disciplines that are crucial to
our long-term wellbeing and economic success. A particular
highlight is the final of the National Science & Engineering
Competition, involving some of the brightest young engineers and
scientists in the country."
The boys entered their projects through the British Science
Association CREST Scheme and did extremely well to reach the final.
However the Young Engineer of the Year was revealed as Shawn Brown,
in recognition of his Solar Bike, a bamboo framed electric trike,
and the Young Scientist of the Year was revealed as Thomas Hearing
for his project using precision GPS.
Among the visitors were a group of Year 9 boys from Bolton
School who got to explore the wonders of science and engineering
through a weird and wonderful range of exhibits on offer from over
80 different science and engineering organisations. The exhibition
area was divided into four zones: The Next Factor (innovation,
ideas and research for tomorrow's world), Body Talk (exciting ways
in which we can create a fit and healthy future), Go Global (the
major challenges facing our global village and the ways in which
clever thinking is solving them), and Power Up (balancing our
rising energy demands with the need to conserve resources.) There
were live stage shows of 'Brainiac', BBC1's 'Bang Goes the Theory'
and The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, and careers
information, advice and guidance for students.
Sir Anthony Cleaver from Engineering UK who led the event,
summed up the ethos of the Fair in his welcome speech, saying:
"With the right support and inspiration, the children of today will
become the scientists and engineers of tomorrow."
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