STUDENT
Amy Walters was one of over a 100 secondary students in the UK to choose ‘cosmic mining’ to fill her days at home during lockdown. An 18-year-old student at Plymouth High School for Girls, the IRIS Research in Schools – At Home project was an opportunity to apply some of her A level astronomy knowledge and hone her research skills.
It was interesting and exciting to read around the content I covered at A level and apply my knowledge to research that is essential for us to further our understanding of the universe.
“I have a conditional offer to study Design Engineering at Imperial College London next year, and therefore I need to have good foundations in Physics. I am passionate about Astronomy and want to get involved where I can, especially since I have the time in lockdown which I want to use wisely to prepare for university.
Amy studied Maths, Physics, Chemistry (and Further Maths AS) for her A levels and, although her school had run IRIS projects, she had never been involved in research at school.
“It was interesting and exciting to read around the content I covered at A level and apply my knowledge to research that is essential for us to further our understanding of the universe. The project advanced my independent research skills and has given me an overview of what research projects involve, which I’m sure will be required when I go to university.
“It is unsettling not knowing whether term will start on-time or if it will involve online teaching. This experience has been useful since it promotes online, self-supported learning. I certainly feel more ready and confident, no matter if I start my degree in person or online.”