BRLSI Young Researchers, a unique B&NES Science Programme for local teenagers devised by Bath Royal Literary Institution and The Universities of Bath and Bath Spa, which has been operating for five years, featured at The University of Edinburgh BIG Science conference for Public Engagement Departments from UK Universities.

The latest cohort of BRLSI Young Researchers presented their research findings at a conference at Bath University recently. The topics were wide-ranging, from ’The effectiveness of Quantum Computers,’ to ’Cloning, is it an answer or a disaster?’, from ’When will the world end,’ to ’Is it possible to send a manned mission to Venus?’ and many more!

All year, the teenagers have been assisted by a team of mentors who are PhD students at Bath Spa University and the University of Bath. All the support sessions were facilitated by Caroline Kuhn, from Bath Spa University and Alice Millard, Community Learning and Engagement Officer at BRLSI.

Caroline, who chaired the event, explained that the programme aims to help young people gain confidence and encourage them to be an expert in their own learning. It also encouraged everyone involved, including mentors and facilitators, to improve their communication and presentation skills, and to discover and further their knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths: sharing this newly-acquired knowledge.

Educationist, Margaret White, was the key note speaker.

She praised the young people, both for their hard work and their presentation skills.

It is hoped that a sixth Young Researchers programme will operate from October to June 2019–2020. More details available from BRLSI, 16 Queen Square, Bath.

Paul Thomas