Summer students explore the world of physics
Posted on 10 August 2011
The sixth form students – Andy Frazer, Kathryn Turner, Daniel Cook and Michael James, all aged 17, were awarded Nuffield Foundation Science Bursaries and are gaining valuable insights into the world of research and technology.
The four-week summer studentships are part of the University’s Department of Physics outreach programme which aims to inspire and expand local students’ interest in science.
Andy Frazer, from St Peter’s School, York, is working on the Department’s observational astronomy and Astrocampus projects. A keen astronomer, Andy is collecting and analysing solar data and using this information to create an educational poster for outreach purposes. He is also helping set up astronomy activities for the astronomy centre, Astrocampus, which is currently under construction at the University. Andy is receiving hands-on training, which includes setting up telescopes and planning technical and manual astronomy activities.
He said: “It’s been really enjoyable, even though the weather has been a bit too cloudy to do much astronomy! But I have done lots of stuff to do with software. It’s a great thing to do and I would recommend it to anyone. The time has just flown by.”
It’s not just a project, it’s real work. You’re working with people who are doing a real job. To do that at the age of 17 is a fantastic opportunity
Kathryn Turner
Kathryn Turner, from Fulford School, York and Daniel Cook from Boston Spa Sixth Form, are involved in a project which uses computer simulations to study magnetic nanoparticles that will be used for new types of cancer treatments, while Michael James from North Halifax Grammar School is analysing the structure of vermiculite crystals - beautiful, shiny layer minerals whose properties could reveal important information about the origins of life.
Kathryn said: “It’s opened my eyes to research. It’s not just a project, it’s real work. You’re working with people who are doing a real job. To do that at the age of 17 is a fantastic opportunity.”
Daniel said: “I have had a general interest in Physics for quite a while but the opportunity to learn more about it and experience it is really good.”
Michael added: “I have always been interested in science but this has really opened my eyes to it. If you like Physics or science, you should do something like this.”
All the students are taking part in practical and computational scientific experiments, working within a physics research group alongside University academics and graduate researchers.
Dr Yvette Hancock, from the University’s Department of Physics, who is co-ordinating the scheme, said: “Although we have taken on summer students via Nuffield Foundation for some years, we have developed a much more formal arrangement this year. We presented Nuffield with a range of projects which they then advertised and found suitable students for. Each student was able to indicate a preference for a particular project.
“This is a fantastic scheme which really opens young people’s minds to the full spectrum of physics and offers mentoring from top academics. Facilities that are offered by The University of York, such as the JEOL Nanocentre and the York Plasma Institute, are far beyond anything that the students have seen or experienced before, providing them with new and exciting insights into the directions that science is taking us.”
David Ward, Nuffield Science Bursary coordinator for Yorkshire and Humberside added: “The Nuffield Foundation funds bursaries for up to 1,000 students a year to carry out research projects in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) working alongside professionals in these fields. Post-16 students interested in a STEM career who would like to find out more can contact me through the Nuffield website – www.nuffieldfoundation.org/scb.”
Notes to editors:
- Nuffield Foundation Science Bursaries offer up to 1,000 bursaries a year for students to work alongside practising scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. Students in the first year of a post-16 science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) course are eligible to apply for a bursary of £80 per week to support them during their project. Placements are available across the UK, in universities, industry or research institutions. Further information on the Nuffield Foundation at www.nuffieldfoundation.org
- For more information on the University of York’s Department of Physics visit www.york.ac.uk/physics
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