Roseanna Gibbons Year 14 student at New-Bridge Integrated College
‘ My Nuffield Research Placement’ at University of Ulster
“I was informed of the Nuffield Research Placement by Mr Shields, my sixth form study supervisor at the start of Year 13. The Nuffield Research Placement Scheme is administered and run in Northern Ireland by Sentinus. I am studying Maths, Physics and Biology at A level and thought this would be a good opportunity to see how STEM subjects are useful in research and further education. I applied in March, and in July I was informed that I secured a four week placement at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.
During my four week placement at University of Ulster, I was working with a PhD student who was investigating the sustainability of Warm Mix Asphalt, which, if proved suitable for road use, will greatly reduce the harmful gases and other emissions produced when making asphalt. I met many other A Level students from other schools who were also studying Sciences at A level. During my placement I acquired many skills that will help me if I choose to pursue a career in Science. I also received the Bursary which was offered with the placement and all my travel expenses were refunded.
On Wednesday the 19th of September I attended the Nuffield celebration evening at Queen’s University where I received a Gold CREST award for my project as well as a certificate completing a placement. For my display at the Celebration Evening at Queens, I was required to complete a project report, a student log book and an A1 poster outlining my placement.
I would recommend this experience for anyone considering a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. I found it to be a greatly rewarding and highly enjoyable experience and definitely worthwhile; I will now be able to include this opportunity in my UCAS application.”
Mrs Anderson, Principal is delighted with this wonderful opportunity which Roseanna was given “we are very proud of Roseanna’s achievements and there is no doubt that this experience will greatly enhance her UCAS application to pursue a STEM career.” Mr Gerard Hughes from Sentinus commented: “places on the Nuffield Research Placement scheme were allocated on a competitive basis and Roseanna’s hard work and diligence at GCSE left her a natural choice when it came to choosing a student for the category of placement which she was successful in gaining”.