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Gloucestershire Business News

FameLab Academy provides platform for learning

Life on Mars, dreams and the secret superpower of geckos were among the hot topics for discussion at the final of FameLab Academy 2017 hosted by EDF Energy in Barnwood.

Thirteen Gloucestershire schools competed in the popular science communication competition, now in its third year in Gloucestershire, organised by Cheltenham Science Festival.

Each school held heats for all their Year 9 pupils and chose one pupil to represent their school in the final.

The competition was expertly compered by Blue Peter's science expert Greg Foot, who has hosted multiple BBC series and racked up more than 10 million YouTube hits answering curious questions.

The judges were BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Jo Durrant, News UK data scientist Jonny Brooks-Bartlett and EDF Energy generation development director Gwen Parry Jones.

The winner was Sriram Iyer from Pate's Grammar School, who had just three minutes to explain a scientific topic of his choice and was judged on his presentation's content, clarity and charisma.

Runners-up were Josh Thomas from Wyedean School and Sydney Davies from Dean Close School.

The winner received £250 for himself and £250 for his school, while the runners-up received £75 of STEM books.

The prizes were presented by Ali Mawle, director of education at Cheltenham Festivals.

All the contestants received a £25 Cheltenham Festival voucher to encourage them to attend events and activities at the Science Festival in June.

Sharron Pearson, education manager at Cheltenham Festivals, said: "FameLab Academy is now in its third successful year in Gloucestershire and the competition has gone from strength to strength.

"We are delighted that 13 schools from around the county have taken part this year. All the teachers have encouraged their students to find a topic they are really interested in.

"Students have extended their learning and have developed their communication skills and their confidence.

"FameLab Academy really encourages students to understand how STEM subjects are relevant to their lives and their futures, as well as being a fun challenge."

STEM mentors from industry came from EDF, Versarien, University of Bristol, University of Surrey and Renishaw.

The relationships formed between the schools and the STEM mentors continue to flourish once FameLab Academy has finished for the year.

Bob Fenton, head of communications for EDF Energy Generation, said: 'FameLab Academy is a great thing to be part of. It's great for imagination and it's great to see so many young people inspired to participate as science and engineering are fundamental to everyday life.

"Supporting education is really important to EDF Energy, and the opportunity to be part of Cheltenham Science Festival is a significant part of us reaching out in to the wider community."

The audience included Mark Owen, the MD of Moose Marketing and PR, publishers of Punchline-Gloucester.com, who was tremendously impressed by the whole occasion.

"The judges were extremely respectful towards the children and they didn't patronise them in the slightest - they were fantastic - while the pupils' knowledge and enthusiasm was truly inspirational," he said.

"I would certainly encourage all those schools that have yet to sign up to FameLab Academy to get involved for next year.

"Well done to EDF Energy, a hidden gem in the Gloucestershire business crown, for supporting and hosting the event too."

Picture credit: Martin Bennett Photography

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