James Hayward - Henley Sixth Form College
ISIS Neutron and Muon facility, Rutherford Appleton laboratory
'Long term storage of Helium-3 neutron spin filters.'
The aim of my project was to aid in the research into the magnetic conditions necessary for the long term storage of Helium-3 neutron spin filters. I Created a program to move a magnetic probe and tested it. Made measurements of a PASTIS set for a stand and constructed it, setting it up for use with the probe. Pumped a cell with rubidium and potassium, for longevity research.
The fact that I was working with scientists in the field and was able to contribute actively to an ongoing project, whilst also experiencing working as part of a professional team was very enlightening. I was considering a career in scientific research before the projecct, and now I have definitely been encouraged to pursue this.
Anna Montague-Jones - Oxford High School
Mouse Genome Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell
'Silencing RNAi, the Sox4 gene and Type II Diabetes'
My project involved using the technique silencing RNAi to determine which part of the insulin secretion cycle the Sox4 gene controlled.
I really enjoyed my time at the Mouse Genome Centre and feel that I have learnt a lot. The experience was extremely interesting and rewarding.
David Oppenheimer - St Edwards School
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford
'Estimation of river flow changes'
Using river flow data from catchments in the South West, my task was to analyse hourly and daily data to see how river flow changes and what affect this may have on a water turbine if one was installed as part of a hydropower scheme. I also got the chance to do some fieldwork in Scotland taking samples from a proposed renewable energy park consisting of a wind farm and a hydropower schemesite, as part of some contract work for Wallingford Hydrosolutions. These samples will be compared with those collected once the wind turbines are installed to see if this has caused a variation in environmental factors such as pH and acidity.
I didn't know what to expect from the scheme having had bad experiences from work placements before. But this was completely different; I actually got to do real work, finding real world solutions.
Katy Horder - Oxford High School
Molecular and Biological Sciences Department, Oxford Brookes University
My project was to test the hypothesis that the addition of phytochemicals to a fruit beverage consumed prior to lunch will have an effect on satiety, and therefore on subsequent energy intake; specifically that it will decrease energy intake by increasing satiety. With the growing prevalence of obesity, ways to reduce energy intake are very much at the forefront of nutritional research such as this.