By Mrs Smart (Science Teacher)

Over the past year, a group of sixth form students have been taking part in an Ionic Liquids project through the Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS). This cutting-edge research is supported by UCL and Belfast Universities and could lead to more environmentally sustainable industrial chemical syntheses in the future.

On Tuesday 25th June, five of the group went to present our findings at the IRIS conference at Friends’ House in London. Annabelle, Hannah, Lydia, Manaal and Ridah produced a scientific poster on the project and spoke knowledgeably to other participants about their research.

During the day there were opportunities to talk to other student researchers and discuss their research posters, followed by a stimulating keynote address by Belfast University Professor Gosia Swadzba-Kwasny on her work on Ionic Liquids. There was also a fascinating panel discussion with eminent researchers involved in biotechnology, light imaging and CERN from Cambridge and Oxford Universities. One of the main takeaways from the day for me was that if you are interested in something, contact the scientists involved in that area and they will be very happy to provide you with information and possibly research opportunities, placements or even internships: “If you don’t ask, you won’t get. If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”

Being involved in research not only enables students to see the world of opportunities out there in STEM careers; it also enhances the science curriculum and increases understanding and enjoyment of subjects. IRIS offers a whole range of different scientific research opportunities in all STEM fields and I hope that more students will be inspired to take them up next year and be able to attend the conference in 2025.