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GOLD AWARD FOR BOBBY

November 2008

Bobby Tann, a pupil at Sibford School near Banbury, has been presented with a prestigious Gold BA Crest Award, a nationally recognised honor which encourages students aged between 11 and 19 to develop their scientific curiosity.

Bobby, 17, received the award after spending six weeks working with the Rothampstead Research Institute in Harpenden where he studied the effects of isolation on the pollination of a wild plant in cereal fields.

The BA Crest allows students to develop their scientific curiosity and to find solutions to problems or tasks in the same way as professional scientists and engineers do. Bobby was able to carry out his project thanks to a Nuffield Foundation Science Bursary.

Bobby was mentored during his research by PhD student Penny Fletcher, who said: "Bobby conducted a mini research project, which complimented my PhD work. Once briefed, he made the project his own, working mostly unsupervised on collecting data, lab processing and analysis. He mastered specialist techniques and studied in his spare time, showing real initiative, innovation and drive and demonstrating a talent for analytical and scientific thinking.
“Bobby wrote an excellent report, presenting impressively detailed results. The understanding he showed was the level of an undergraduate rather than an A-level student."

Bobby, who is currently studying biology, chemistry, history and art at AS level, added “Being given the opportunity to spend six weeks at Rothampstead was a fantastic experience. I loved every minute of it and hope to continue in scientific research after I leave Sibford.”

Bobby is pictured with Penny Fletcher at the awards presentation. He has nominated his project for inclusion in the National Crest Final, a Science Fair for young scientists and engineers. Prizes for the best projects include attendance at International Science Fairs.

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