The competition has been opened to all Year 10 and Year 11 members of the Oundle, Shrewsbury and Imperial STEM Potential cohorts – scientifically-minded pupils from state schools in each area who are selected from applications each year – and the 4^th and 5^th Form of the partner schools. The submissions will be judged by STEM Potential teachers including a representative of Imperial College London and the standard is always impressive.

The students have been invited to research and/or investigate a scientific/mathematical/technological problem or topic that interests them and submit multiple pieces of detailed work after a period of two months. This may involve conducting experiments at home, online and offline research and designing/building an article of scientific/technological interest.  

Hal C (IV, Rt) has researched the methods computers use to general random numbers while Anu S (V, Rt) and Godwin Y (V, SH) have combined to jointly investigate the search for extra-terrestrial life.

The final submission consists of three parts.

1. An abstract: this introduces the title of the project and a summary of what was achieved in no more than 300 words.
2. A recorded presentation: this demonstrates the research and/or experiments, lasting no more than 7 minutes.
3. A poster: this summarises the project.

The posters of both Shrewsbury School submissions are below – we wish Hal, Anu and Godwin the very best of luck in the competition!