Young scientists make finals of top contest
A pair of promising Coltness High pupils have been selected to compete at the UK finals of a science and engineering competition.
S6 students Aleena Nauman and Nicola Li have been announced as one of the winners of The Big Bang online heats, with their project entitled ‘Fibroblast Secreted Factors Activate Components of the Sphingosine Kinase Pathway in Acute Myeloid Leukemic Cells’.
After their exciting project caught the eye of judges, the students will now take their place in this year’s final of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Competition.
For the project, the students investigated the effect of HS- 5 fibroblast, which is a type of bone marrow dwelling cell.
Through data from their study, they have the potential to shed light on BMME mechanisms which may be involved in the development of chemoresistance in AML cells.
Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive, Engineering UK said: “The students from Coltness High impressed the judges with their project and we’re excited to see how they do at the UK finals.
“It is a huge achievement to progress to this stage of the competition and they should be incredibly proud to take up their place and compete in March. Going into its eleventh year, The Big Bang Fair continues to be a great source of STEM inspiration for young people, representing an amazing opportunity for young visitors, their teachers and parents to get hands-on with a wide range of activities.
“This includes workshops and engaging in meaningful career conversations with professionals, all designed to bring classroom learning to life and inspire the next generation.”
The students will attend the finals, which are taking place at The Big Bang Fair at Birmingham’s NEC in March 2019.
There they will vie for top prizes including the coveted title of UK Young Engineer and GSK UK Young Scientist of the Year.