Becky Parker, visiting professor at QMUL’s School of Physics and Astronomy, has been awarded The Royal Society's Kavli Education Medal 2016.
She has been given the prize for founding the Langton Star Centre, which gives school students opportunities to work on authentic research projects alongside academic and industrial scientists and engineers. She was also recognised for her encouragement for other teachers to undertake creative and experimental research with their pupils.
The Institute for Research in Schools has now developed as a result which makes cutting edge research projects open to school students and their teachers across the country so that they can experience the excitement and challenge of science.
The Kavli Education Medal is awarded for impact in the field of science and mathematics education.
Becky said: “It's wonderful to win the Kavli Education Medal and get the chance to talk to many people about supporting school students as research scientists. The Institute for Research in Schools is touching a nerve with teachers in keeping them inspired and allowing their students to contribute to science where the answers aren't at the back of the book.”
She will be presented with a medal of bronze gilt and a gift of £1,000 in spring 2017.
The Kavli Education Medal has been going since 2010 and is awarded biennially for ‘an individual who has made a significant impact on science or mathematics education within the UK’. The winner will deliver a lecture either at a specialist scientific or educational meeting or for the general public.
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