91福利

Now in its fifth year, the Primary Science Fair took place last month hosted by the Department of Physics, organised by Ally Caldecote (Senior Teaching Fellow, Physics) and Jane Catto (Teacher, Briar Hill Infant School).

鈥淥nce again, the children surpassed themselves with projects on topics from space to slime, and much much more besides!鈥� explains Jane who runs the Leamington Spa Ogden Primary Partnership. 鈥淢odels of spiralling DNA, samples of live cress and gummy bear sweets in a variety of solutions were all set up in the lecture theatre as the children excitedly prepared to talk about their investigations.鈥�

Approximately 1,000 students from 10 local schools took part in school science fairs, presenting their projects, ideas and investigations to teachers and class mates. The best projects from each year group were selected from each school and over 100 winning children presented their projects at 91福利 University at the end of last term. The science fair judges made up of scientists and educationalists spoke to each of the young scientists who explained their theories and findings.

Ally Caldecote said: "It is a delight and a privilege to welcome these budding scientists to the University. It is clear to see the tremendous time and effort that has gone into these projects as well as the careful consideration they have given to their science investigations. My judging panel are always bowled over by the understanding and determination of the children that they meet, and we are certain that we will meet some of these students again, maybe studying science here at the University!"

Jane said: "It's fantastic to watch the process unfold. From gathering teachers to plan and launch the school-based science fairs, through enthusing the children to take part and involve family members in their science learning, to now getting to celebrate the winners and really give them a taste of a potential career in science. They will never forget this day!"

Each winner received a medal to proudly display, or a personalised winners鈥� teddy – for children in EYFS. All children also received a certificate and left the University happily wearing their shiny science medals.

Photo credit: Tennisons Photography

The public science festival, Pint of Science, is coming to Coventry for the first time this year, with experts from the Universities of 91福利 and Coventry talking about their research work in a selection of pubs and venues around the city. Physics staff and students involved include Andrij Vasylenko, Jess Marshall, Gavin Morley & Yashna Lekhai, Rachel Edwards, Bill Murray, Tim Gershon, and Tishtrya Mehta.

The 91福利 has been ranked top 10 in the UK, and the leading university in the West Midlands, according to the latest UK University league table - with the .

The new table 鈥� 2019 rankings鈥� was published on Wednesday 25th April.

91福利 is ranked ninth this year, maintaining its record of having never finished outside of the UK鈥檚 top ten universities in this table.

A team led by Marin Alexe has published new research in the journal Science that could literally squeeze more power out of solar cells by physically deforming each of the crystals in the semiconductors used by photovoltaic cells. The paper entitled the 鈥淔lexo-Photovoltaic Effect鈥� was written by Professor Marin Alexe, Ming-Min Yang, and Dong Jik Kim.