Students reveal fascinating science discoveries

Dr Jo Foster, Director of the Institute for Research in Schools addresses the students

Reporter:

Marc Astley

13 Jun 2024 7:38 AM

Young scientists from across the South West gathered in Exeter this week to share their latest fascinating scientific research at this year's Institute for Research In Schools (IRIS) Student Conference.

Teams of students have been working on an eye-catching range of projects which tackle real-world scientific problems and seek solutions that can be applied outside the classroom.

Just some of the intriguing questions that talented young scientists have been seeking answers to were:

Can seaweed be used to make standard supermarket packaging, is ‘gym brain’ an actual neurological condition and could Cornish seawater be used as an antiseptic?

More of the research highlights from the IRIS Student Conferences 2024 unveiled in Exeter included:

Research suggesting e-liquid from vapes thrown into rivers and canals could kill aquatic life
How different colours influence performance in maths tests
Do athletes have ‘super genes’?
Pineapple painkillers
Future fuels for commercial flights
Dark matter detectives
Can Chess improve mental health?

Around 90 students from schools and colleges in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and the Channel Islands gathered for the annual IRIS conference.

Dr Jo Foster, Director of the Institute for Research in Schools said: “Once again we’ve all been so impressed by the high standard and quality of the real-world research carried out by all the young scientists. We love seeing that spark of interest light up in students as they explain how they made their fascinating discoveries.

"The work they do is genuinely valuable and in many cases helps real scientists in their current research. The whole experience can often lead to a fantastic career in science at a time when we have so many vacancies in the UK in science and technology.”

Dame Kate Bingham DBE Patron of the Institute for Research in Schools said: “It’s great to see students’ genuine interest in their research. Their ability to talk about their work so knowledgeably and passionately is impressive and I’m keen to see how these young scientists develop.”

Professor Alan Barr, Professor of Particle Physics at Oxford University said: “These students are doing really well-motivated work, using advanced and appropriate methods and tools, most familiar only to those at graduate level.”

The Exeter conference was held at Exeter College's Future Skills Centre, Exeter Airport Industrial Estate.

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