Budding scientists have been undertaking real scientific research alongside top professionals in their field.

Three students from Loreto took part in this year’s Nuffield Bursary scheme to apply what they’ve learnt in the classroom to the real world.

Simon Baradziej went to worldwide engineering consultants AMEC where he worked to determine the energy deposited by radiation in a certain part of Advanced Gas-cooled Nuclear Reactors

“My bursary project was an amazing opportunity to extend my current knowledge; apply the knowledge gained in college, apply theoretical knowledge to the real life situations and experience the real scientific life,” he said

“I think 'losing' 4 weeks of summer holiday was worth it as the experience I've gained is really valuable, especially before choosing my university course.”
Lee Byrne undertook research in the School of Chemistry at Manchester University to synthesise red emitting cadmium selenide nano-particles.

As well as giving him considerable insight into the field Lee said the experience also gave him: “invaluable confidence with regards to chemical synthesis.”

Meanwhile Sutchan Ganger was based in the School of Life Sciences at Manchester University, looking at the role of enzymes in regulating a plant’s ability to respond to different environmental conditions.