Winners of Bill Bryson Science Communication Prize announced

Five UK schools are celebrating after winning prizes in the inaugural RSC Bill Bryson Prize for Science Communication.

Three secondary schools and two primaries received awards after the final round - judged by world famous author Mr Bryson, RSC President Dr Simon Campbell CBE, FRS, and Education in Chemistry Editor Kathryn Roberts.

Mr Bryson said: "The competition was of a really high standard, and it was difficult to choose section and overall winners.

"I was impressed with the variety of entries, with everything from PowerPoint displays to posters and magazines."

Dr Campbell said: "We received more than 400 secondary school entries and 60 primary school entries.

"All were of a high quality, and we were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and interest in science in our schools throughout the UK."

The quality of the entries in the final was such that the judges decided on the day to expand the prize range, resulting in five, rather than the original three, awards.

Ollie Craig, in year nine at The Priory School, Shrewsbury, won the overall prize for his guide to investigating crime scenes, while a group of ten pupils from The Bedford School won the secondary school category for their magazine exploring various aspects of Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

Amalia Gherson and Katie and Lauren Shemtob - from year six at the Naima Jewish Prep School in London - won the primary school category for their presentation on the human body, in which they fashioned body parts out of various household items.

Each of the three category winners will receive £500 for their school and £100 for themselves. 

Up to four pupils and two teachers from each winning school will now be invited to a presentation ceremony in London on September 18, where they will collect their awards and meet Mr Bryson and Dr Campbell.

Mr Bryson said: "I look forward to meeting the winners in person and hearing more about their interest in science."

Dr Campbell said: "It will be a pleasure to congratulate the winners personally on their outstanding efforts and interest in science."

Catherine Jeanes, from year 10 at Wimbledon High, London received a 'Highly Commendable' prize of £100 for her school, with her project on the defence mechanisms of insects.

And Aoife Toal, Shea Cullen and Cormac Kelly - of primary seven at St Colmcille's PS School, Armagh, Northern Ireland - received a 'Highly Commendable' prize of £100 for their school with a project on a Horse Chestnut tree in their school grounds