Water features in Rolls-Royce Science Prize winning entry

St Anne’s Primary School, based in Corkey, Northern Ireland, has won the 2008 Rolls-Royce Science Prize for its creative and hands-on project about every aspect of the water cycle. The Northern Ireland school is the third winner of the Rolls-Royce Science Prize, which rewards excellence in science teaching across the UK and Ireland.

During the project, the children followed up their research into water management with a visit to a water treatment plant and looked at local water sources, testing and measuring water quality and constructing a water treatment device. The involvement of experts from the community, including the local council, a civil engineer and Environment Officer, was key to the broad nature and success of the project.

Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Sir John Rose presented the school with a trophy and cheque at an Awards Dinner held in the Science Museum in London on 18 June.

Sir John said: “I congratulate all the finalists for their ability to inspire and stimulate students. I’m particularly encouraged that this year, both the winning school and the runner up are working with industry to engage young scientists and show them how science can make a practical difference"

Colin Johnson OBE, Rolls-Royce Science Prize Judge and Vice President (Young People’s Programme) of the British Association for the Advancement of Science commented: “This was an ambitious project that stretched the pupils beyond the usual limits of their age group, introduced them to valuable scientific principles and left them with a true appreciation of the importance of water management. Congratulations to all the members of the team, and of course to the children who carried out the activities.”

Project team leader Cieran Kinney said: “Taking part in the Rolls-Royce Science Prize has drawn the whole school together and children who had little interest in science are now telling me that they want to be science teachers. Winning the Rolls-Royce Prize is a real incentive to continue to inspire children about the importance of science.”

St Anne’s Primary School wins £15,000 to further science teaching in the school, plus a day out with the Red Arrows. Billingham-based St Michael’s Roman Catholic School is the runner up and receives £10,000 for its project about science in the workplace.