2024

IRIS AWARDS

NOMINEES

The IRIS Awards recognise our bright young researchers, the teachers who support them and our partners who make our projects a reality.

BEST RESEARCH PROJECT

ALTRINCHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS

This group used state of the art artificial neural networks in their Big Data: ATLAS project to detect the Higgs boson and other exotic particles.

 

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QUEEN MARY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Students pushed project boundaries by considering how Ionic Liquids could allow metals to be isolated for use in building on other planets.

 

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CAMBORNE SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

Year 12 students worked with British Antarctic Society scientist, Peter Fretwell, building on IRIS Earth Observation research to track penguin colonies.

 

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BEST RESEARCH TEAM

HELE’S SCHOOL

This team of three new students displayed great teamwork and innovation in their Cosmic Mining project, exploring research beyond the project resources.

 

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KNOLE ACADEMY

A group of Year 8 and 9 students worked together to increase energy efficiency at their school. They deployed data measuring devices across the school to validate their findings.

 

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KESWICK SCHOOL

This first-time IRIS school had never produced research before but students worked together to form fascinating research questions using the Scanning Electron Microscope.

 

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OUTSTANDING TEACHER

RICHARD WALSH – MILL HILL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

 

Richard has worked with IRIS for several years, helping to inspire and motivate his students. He has grown an incredible network of research within his school.

NICK HARRIS – TAPTON SCHOOL

 

Nick’s dedication to fostering research has seen staff from other schools engage in their own research, and former students pursuing academic research.

SARAH LARRINGTON – ST WILFRID’S HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

Sarah has opened the door to research for students of all ages at her school. Her commitment to helping young people engage in research is inspiring.

OUTSTANDING PARTNER

Future Flight
ZEROAVIA

The ZeroAvia team behind our Future Flight project have gone above and beyond to inspire and educate students in the pursuit of greener flight.

 

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BEST NEW SCHOOL AWARD

THE KING’S ACADEMY

 

King’s Academy took on two challenging projects in which students demonstrated excellent scientific skills. They will also be host to the SEM next year.

CAMBRIDGE ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Students from this college continued outside of lesson time, working with Cambridge University to apply machine learning to their research.

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

 

Students from Cirencester impressed leading particle physicist, Prof. Alan Barr, with their use of neural networks in the study of Dark Matter.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AWARD

ALANNA WATSON – SALFORD CITY ACADEMY

Alanna has demonstrated exceptional passion and dedication, overcoming challenging circumstances to provide students with life-changing opportunities in STEM research.

RACHEL WHITE – IRLAM AND CADISHEAD ACADEMY

Committed to breaking down barriers and challenging STEM stereotypes, Rachel has actively built networks with local partners and involved parents and carers to support and enhance her students’ learning experience.

IRIS AWARD WINNERS 2024

Learn who the winners of this year’s IRIS awards are and the incredible research that took place.

 

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OUR PROJECTS

Inspired? Get involved. IRIS projects support students and teachers, wherever they are on their research journey.

 

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