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SUCCESS FOR 2
PUPILS IN NORTH WEST SCHOOLS SCIENCE 'X-FACTOR'
BUDDING young scientists from across the
region have been battling it out to be crowned winners of the
prestigious North West Schools Science Competition. The winners each
received an iPod Touch and £250 for their school to spend on science
equipment.
The competition, which showcases tomorrow's top scientists, is
hosted by the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) in
conjunction with Cheshire's Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.
Now in its 4th year, the competition, for pupils in Years 7 and 8,
attracted over 150 entries from across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater
Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. The North West Schools
Science Competition aims to encourage more young people in the
region to consider science as a career.
The competition began in September when students across the region
were invited to write a 500 word essay on why they want to be a
scientist when they grow up. From there a 12 strong shortlist was
drawn up to participate in the 'Competition Final' held at
the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, Cheshire.
Similar to X-Factor each finalist took it in turn to deliver a short
presentation to an expert panel of judges from scientific, business
and educational backgrounds on why they wanted to be scientists when
they were older, before going on to answer a series of questions
from the panel testing their knowledge and passion for the subject.
Judges praised the high standard of entries before selecting a
winner from Year 7 and a winner from Year 8.
Joe Howitt from Chetwynde School in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria was
the Winner from Year 7. Joe said on winning the prize
"Scientists are cool. I want to be a scientist because they help you
with everything you do in life!"
The Winner for Year 8 was Joseph Howard from Our Lady Queen of Peace
Catholic Engineering College in Skelmersdale. Joseph commented:-
"I am really excited to win. This whole experience has inspired
to become a geophysicist and live my dream."
Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive of the NWBLT and Chairman of the
Judging Panel, said:- "Tonight has been a great evening and we
have all been really impressed with the high quality of the entries.
All the shortlisted pupils have performed extremely well and it has
been very hard decision to select a winner. I am delighted to have
such high calibre of judges for the Competition and I would like to
thank them for their involvement not only at tonight's event to also
for doing the short listing."
Phill Day, Education Manager at Catalyst "It has been a
privilege to sit on the judging panel this year. The standard of
entries has been fantastic and the range of styles that the essays
have taken clearly demonstrate the thought that our entrants have
put in to this. The passion with which these young people talk about
Science and Scientists bodes very well for our future academics and
industrial scientists."
The full judging panel:-
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Jane Binks, Daresbury Laboratory
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Anne Buckley, Teacher
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Jenny Clucas, Strategy Director Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Cogent SSC Ltd
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Phill Day, Education Manager, Catalyst Science & Discovery Centre
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Michelle Dow, Merseyside STEM
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Ellie Kuitunen, Nuclear Scientist, Arup
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Glyn Roberts, Sustainability Director, Unilever
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A&E care scores
highly in national patient survey
PATIENTS say they have seen
big improvements in Accident and Emergency care at Southport and
Ormskirk hospitals, a major national survey shows. The Care
Quality Commission, which ensures England's hospitals are meeting
national standards, surveyed 46,000 patients across 65 A&E
departments between January and March this year and compared the
results against its last survey in 2008.
A total of 850 patients who attended Southport and Ormskirk Hospital
NHS Trust's A&E department for adults in Southport and A&E for
children at Ormskirk were asked for their views on a range of
issues. These included their experience on arrival; how long they
had to wait; their care and treatment; and the attitude of the
doctors and nurses they met.
Patients scored Trust staff particularly highly in 3 areas against
the 2008 results. These were:-
► More privacy when discussing their condition with the receptionist
► Being told how long they would have to wait to be examined
► Having enough time to discuss their health or medical problem
The Trust also performed significantly better than average in six
areas patients were questioned on in comparison to other hospitals.
Medical Director Dr Geraldine
Boocock said:- "These results show very encouraging
improvements in specific areas as well as a general trend towards a
better experience for patients overall. They will be a big
boost to A&E staff who work hard to give the best experience
possible to patients at what can be a very frightening and traumatic
time."
Chief Executive Jonathan Parry added:- "The results are
particularly pleasing given the recent major disruption to A&E at
Southport where the Trust is spending more than £3m on a phased
modernisation programme. We have opened a new resuscitation room and
general public waiting area within the past year and a new minor
injuries room opened this week. The final phase to create offices
and staff rooms will get under way next year (2013)." |
