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Magnus C of E Academy, Newark, students attend Houses of Parliament for The Royal Society’s STEM event




A school’s pupils presented STEM project findings to MPs, Royal Society members, and industry experts at the Houses of Parliament.

Pupils from Magnus Church of England Academy, Newark, attended a special event marking the 25th anniversary of The Royal Society’s partnership grants scheme, which supports practical science work in schools.

Titled Bringing research alive: Connecting the scientists of today with the scientists of tomorrow, the event at the Attlee Suite in Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament, was attended by six schools from across the UK.

From left: Science teacher Mr Brett Handley, Isabelle Prestage, Tommy Conlan, Toby Walters, Jacob Mulholland, Khaleel Abdulbaqi, McKenzie Jones, and principal Anna Martin. Credit: The Royal Society
From left: Science teacher Mr Brett Handley, Isabelle Prestage, Tommy Conlan, Toby Walters, Jacob Mulholland, Khaleel Abdulbaqi, McKenzie Jones, and principal Anna Martin. Credit: The Royal Society

Helen Hayes MP, chair of the Education Select Committee; Sir Adrian Smith, president of The Royal Society, and space-scientist and presenter of The Sky at Night, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, were among those present.

Brett Handley, science teacher at Magnus, said: “The Royal Society partnership grants scheme has provided students at Magnus Academy with unique opportunities, with some taking part in The Royal Society’s Student Conference and others in their Summer Science Exhibition.

“Our students received some advice and training from The Royal Society’s school engagement team in advance of the day to help them prepare, and although some students were nervous at the prospect of taking part in this prestigious event, they soon relaxed and confidently engaged with visitors, explaining their project clearly and proudly, in what was a once in a lifetime experience.”

The Magnus team — pupils Isabella Prestage (year eight), Jacob Mulholland (year 10), Khaleel Abdulbaqi (year 11), Toby Walters, (year 11), Tommy Conlan (year 11) and Mckenzie Jones (year 11) — were tasked with finding methods of using new technology and renewable energy resources to reduce both energy bills and carbon footprints in schools.

Magnus students discussing their findings at The Royal Society event at The Houses of Parliament. Credit: The Royal Society
Magnus students discussing their findings at The Royal Society event at The Houses of Parliament. Credit: The Royal Society

They used their partnership grant to buy energy meters, anemometers, a solar power meter, a weather station, small solar panels, a wind turbine, battery and an inverter to support their research and answer their question — and then analysed energy bills and made their projections, as well as balancing investment costs with any potential savings a school could make.

In coming months, their conclusions and analysis will undergo further testing with the aid of academic partners from the University of Birmingham, to see if the estimates pupils made are matched by the real data collected.

Anna Martin, executive principal at Magnus, added: “I was so pleased to be able to attend this prestigious event alongside our wonderful Magnus students, and to witness their efforts being so well received by the esteemed guests. Our students demonstrated such confidence and passion when presenting their research and were wonderful ambassadors for our school.”



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