TWO students from Callington Community College, Sam Mitchell and Amber Newman-Marks, have received the Gold Crest Award for science as part of their successful applications to the national Nuffield Research Placement Scheme.

Each year the scheme provides 1,000 students studying science, technology, engineering or maths in Year 12 with an opportunity to work alongside researchers who are working at the forefront of their respective disciplines.

The two students worked at some of the top laboratories and research institutes in the country for four weeks during the summer.

Each student undertook their own project, which they then wrote up and presented at the awards nights at Plymouth University last month.

Sam Mitchell said: 'My Nuffield research placement was spent at Bristol University working on two projects, one on the evolution of butterflies to climate change and the other on the impact of reintroduction of plant species. My placement allowed me to work amongst actual scientist and see what this environment was actually like.

'I also had to use a lot of specialist equipment and techniques.

'At the end of my placement I had to produce a report of my work, which was valuable experience for university level work.

'The Nuffield project was incredibly beneficial for me, and I encourage anyone able to that they pursue it.'

Amber Newman-Marks said: 'Successfully winning a place for a Nuffield Research Placement allowed me to further my interest in science and along the way I gained many valuable skills which are transferable to lab work at school and also in my chosen career.

'During the summer I spent four weeks at Plymouth University studying the effect of a certain protein (Merlin) on neuronal regeneration in the nervous system.

'Although I still am decided upon a future in medicine, the placement gave me an appreciation of all the work that goes into developing new medicines and also I now realise how vast and diverse a career in science can be.'

The two students and the college expressed thanks to Rachel Delourme, the Nuffield co-ordinator at the Enterprise Business Partnership, who helped them finalise their placements and the researcher partners who put time and effort into making these placements successful and enjoyable.