Youngsters inspired by Nobel Sir John
Nobel Prize winner, Sir John Walker, visiting Rastrick High School. He was a former pupil at Rastrick Grammar school Pictured with Y11 students
A NOBEL Prize winner took a trip back to his former school to inspire students about science.
Professor Sir John Walker, who was a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry in 1997, was asked to attend Rastrick High School by head girl Gurpreet Bhogal.
During his visit he had lunch with a small group of staff and students followed by an informal discussion with sixth form science students.
His visit finished with a talk to Year 11 triple science students about his work, why they should aspire to study science, careers in science and studying at Cambridge University.
John Garratt, an A level chemistry teacher and careers co-ordinator at the school, said: “It’s fantastic that our students can get to meet such an eminent scientist.
“I hope that it inspires them to go on to choose careers in science and engineering as our country desperately needs them.”
Some of the Year 11 triple science pupils said he made it interesting and easy to understand. Victoria Froggett said: “He was very interesting and gave me an insight into complex scientific issues.” Chloe Hoult added: “It was really informative and nice to talk to someone with a lot of experience in the field.”
Alex Walpole said: “It was inspirational and made me want to achieve highly like he has done.”
Prof Walker said he thought it was important for students at state schools to realise that elitist institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge were just as much for them as students at public schools as long at they had the ability.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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