Aspiring young scientists came together for an inspiring day of discovery and innovation at the 10th annual Tonbridge Science Conference held on Friday 7 March.
More than 180 students from schools across the UK gathered in the award-winning Barton Science Centre to present and share their research at this popular annual event.
Featuring thought-provoking keynote speakers, insightful student presentations and engaging student posters, the event provided a dynamic platform for the next generation of researchers to share their work, as well as hearing from top academics. The conference sparked curiosity, fostered critical thinking and fuelled the passion of future scientists eager to make their mark on the world.
The student presentations covered a wide range of subjects, from superconductors to AI generated voices in advertisements, and from genetics in cancer treatment to the ‘bare bones’ of Forensic Science.
Posters were on display for delegates to view and discuss, showing various research projects conducted by the students at their respective schools, including those from Los Altos High School in California.
UK schools taking part, in addition to Tonbridge, included The Judd School, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Sevenoaks, Westminster, The Marsh Academy, Benenden, St. Olave’s Grammar School, Woldingham, City of London, City of London Girls, Walthamstow Hall, King’s Canterbury, Winchester College, St Swithun’s, and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar.
Keynote speeches from three leading scientists were given in the School’s EM Forster Theatre.
Dr Craig Sawyer, lecturer in Physics at Pembroke College, Oxford, shared his research now focused on developing and building a new silicon strip tracker at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory as part of the Inner Tracker (ITk) upgrade of the ATLAS detector at CERN.
Old Tonbridgian, Sam Adegbola (JH 98-00), is a Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College, London. Sam shared his work in the use of robotics in surgery, drawing from his experience as a Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon at Colchester Hospital University.
Professor Stuart Mackenzie is a Tutorial Fellow of Magdalen College and a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford. His lecture explored quantum biology at the heart of animal magnetoreception, including the photochemical origin of animal magnetoreception.
Louise Comber, who is both Head of Science and Head of Physics at The Kings School Canterbury, said, “The combination of being able to listen to extremely high-quality speakers alongside pupils taking ownership of their own research just made for a wonderful opportunity to be real scientists.” This was echoed by one of Tonbridge School’s Science Ambassadors, Barney (WH4) who noted, “It was unique and engaging to have students presenting their own research - it really gives us a chance to present to peers in a way that doesn’t otherwise happen”. Paul Rickard from Woldingham School said his students thought the conference was “the best one yet” and Professor Stuart Mackenzie praised “the inclusive nature of the event”.
Tonbridge’s Head of Science, Nick Waite, said: “I would like to thank all those in attendance for making the conference such a success – it is always so exciting to see our next generation of scientists coming together to share their work and be inspired by our keynote speakers. I also extend my thanks to the 20 Tonbridge student Science Ambassadors for their help in hosting the event and to my colleagues for their contributions to making Tonbridge School such a hub for scientific endeavour.”
James Priory, Tonbridge’s Headmaster, gave a closing address, thanking all students for their contributions, ideas and insights.