2022-2023

Staff and students were invited by the Institute for Research In Schools (IRIS) to visit London to attend the inaugural IRIS Awards. This was hosted by the Wellcome Trust at the Francis Crick Institute. 

During this trip we also visited Regents Park and had a lovely walk where the students got to see some of the artworks being displayed.  As well as interact with part of the exhibition.

Before heading to the accommodation and going to the Francis Crick Institute we took the students to see the Wellcome collection. here they went through three of the exhibits; Being Human, Medicine Man and In the air. 

On the evening of the 29th September, staff and students attended the inaugural IRIS awards. Here the students got to meet with professionals and discuss their projects as well as ask questions about the professionals work. The students presented themselves very well and even got to meet with the special guests at the event.  The Baltic Research Institute was awarded the Best Research Team Award.

On 30th September 2022, the staff and students were allowed to participate in a behind the scenes tour of the imaging department at the Natural History Museum (NHM) London. Head of the Department Dr. Alex Ball has worked with us for the past few years when the school has loaned the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). This is a opportunity for schools organised between Hitachi, IRIS and the NHM.

Students visited the LSTM buildings, here they got to attend a series of presentations and talks on a few different topics. As the LTSM celebrates its 125 year anniversary they wanted the students to develop projects based on the pioneers of the facility. The students were educated on the founding of the facility and their notable scientists and researchers. LSTM does not shy away from their beginnings, however they strive to highlight the work of those who have previously been ignored and acknowledge the wrongdoings of the past. 

The students had talks from current researchers discussing their breakthroughs and how they communicate their work where the tropical medicine is most prevalent. In addition to this there were also talks from archivists/ librarians  who discussed past researchers achievements and allowed the students to look at archived notes, awards and even instrumentation.

Dr Becky Keeble a specialist vet from ICR Vets in Edinburgh came and delivered a fantastic talk and laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) workshop, 25 students from across the year groups attended and asked some outstanding questions. She brought a few of the devices that are used train on. This allowed us to learn how to handle the tools the activities were extremely challenging and really highlighted the need to draw upon fine motor skills. Becky has helped us to develop a strong partnership with IVC Evidensia who have a large chain of veterinary practices across the UK. We have the opportunity for all students from years 9-13 who wish to pursue a career in veterinary science or nursing to gain a full week of work experience with one of three local practices. 

Students and staff attended a Digital Health Conference at UTC Derby Pride Park. The Digital Skills for Health Project focuses on ensuring that students and staff at UTCs across the country have the latest technological skills that employers in the health sectors need. The conference had sessions where speakers from HEE, AstraZeneca and Accenture talked about how digital technology is transforming the NHS and patient experience.. It was fascinating to hear from Accenture about how VR, AR and mixed reality are being utilised in healthcare and the life sciences. As well as sessions from AstraZeneca on patient feedback apps can be used in real time meaning that a patient pool for medical testing and drug development is not limited by particular hospital access. 

On the 22nd of February students had a project progression presentation at LSTM. Here they displayed their findings so far in regards to their projects into the pioneers of tropical medicine. Students could choose to work on their topic in a few different ways, examples include; the pioneers and what they mean to them, artworks inspired by LSTM, engineering model designs and more.

We are extremely grateful that many of the scientists and researchers at LSTM gave up their time to come and discuss the projects with students and support their work, this was a great help to many of our students as they have new points of view to consider and potentially other inspirations to further study. 

Following on from the success of the laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) workshop, Dr Dominic Waller from White Cross Vets Kings Heath, visited with our students. here he gave a wonderful talk about Ultrasound, He went through the technical aspects of how ultrasound works through to the advantages and limitations of this specific imaging modality.  following his talk he gave the students the opportunity to take part in a workshop using ultrasound devices.  (keyhole surgery) workshop 

Four students have been designing DNA nanostructures as part of the DNA origami project. These include a design for a DNA nanorobot dentist! 

Selma had the idea that she can design a DNA nanostructure that can effectively deliver molecules which stimulate ameloblastin and enamel production in teeth in order to heal damage. Her work has been shortlisted for the Business of Science Innovation award and she will present at the conference at Leeds on 18th May 2023. 

The whole group presented their work at an IRIS event at the Bragg Centre for Materials Research at the University of Leeds on Friday 28th April 2023. The laboratory kit and reagents have arrived so that the students can start making a DNA nanostructure from scaffold DNA and over 150 oligonucleotide staples in the labs.

Students from across a few different year group got invited to attend the Business of Science conference at Cloth Court Hall, University of Leeds. This conference, attended by a wide range of people working in the science, engineering and technology sectors is a wonderful chance for students to see science business by those who truly understand and work in the sector. We have attended the event every year since it started traveling to Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Leeds in the process. This year three of our students projects were  shortlisted for the conference Innovation Award which carries with it a prize of £1000. The projects nominated were; Harvey's (year 13) prototype bionic arm which works through detecting myoelectric signals, Selma's (year 12) DNA nanodentist robot which is a DNA nanostructure that she has designed using specialist CAD software and finally Connie, Ava and Laila (year 10) who have designed hex-housing, a space efficient and energy efficient design for affordable housing. The students presented their project posters for judging by industry experts at the event. 

At this event Harvey's bionic arm project won the over 18 category, and Selma's Nano dentist robot won for the Secondary category.

 A number of our student projects were submitted this year, and of those, five projects were selected for the video finals. In these finals the students had to present their work over video call to a team of judges. The projects and the prizes they were nominated for as finalists for, were as follows;

Setting up a basic Veterinary skills lab inside the Baltic Research Institute (Erin) - Special Award Title: The Stantec Developing Future Communities Award

Using EMG to control a bionic hand. (Harvey) - Special Award Title: The Stantec Developing Future Communities Award

Viruses - The next phage of antibiotics? (Ryan) - Young Scientist of the Year 2023

Hex Housing ( Connie, Ava & Laila)- Special Award Title: The Stantec Developing Future Communities Award & Special Award Title: The Energy Institute Climate Change Special Award

Shampill (Antony, Danya, Dylan, Jazz & Noah)  - Special Award Title: The Intellectual Property Office Award for Outstanding Innovator

From this list of projects two of our students were invited to showcase their work in person at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham.

Here both Harvey and Ryan presented their work to a number of academics, business people and students of varying ages. 

While here, they was attended the Competition Awards ceremony where Ryan was presented with the Senior Science Award for 2022-23. Following on from his success at the Big Bang Fair Ryan has been invited to attend The International Swiss Talent Forum 2024 (ISTF) as a delegate.

 Ignite student Charlie was invited to the TeenTech Awards at the IET in London where he was announced as the winner of the Innovation Award. We are immensely  proud of the way Charlie presented his VR BioSensory room. The VR Biosensory room charlie designed was created to help reduce anxiety in paediatric patients with long hospital stays. The VR Sensory room included sensor feedback so that it can adapt based on data from the user such as heart rate and eye movements providing a personalised experience for each user and catering to neurodiversity. Charlie got to share the stage with Rory Cellan-Jones and a robotic dog called spot by Boston Dynamics!