Student wins National IN2STEM Award

Year 13 student Oliver Jenkinson was recently awarded Participant of the Year at the In2scienceUK’s London celebration event following a summer STEM placement hosted by Teesside University.

Oliver studies Mathematics, Biology and Geography here at Durham Sixth Form Centre and worked with our Work Experience and Employer Engagement Lead, Mrs Maude, as part of his preparation for Opportunities Week, where all Year 12 students look to take part in work experience linked to their future career. Oliver’s successful application to the In2STEM programme via In2scienceUK saw him being offered a week-long placement in the labs at Teesside University over the summer. He was hosted by Rodney Owusu-Darko, lecturer in food science and biotechnology, who supervised him across the week in a variety of hands-on lab sessions including inoculum preparation, DNA extraction, using a PCR machine, gel electrophoresis, encapsulation, food extrusion and AMR. In addition, Oliver was able to complete his Bronze CREST award as well as attending a number of online workshops to support him with university applications and expand his knowledge of university opportunities.

We are particularly grateful to Rodney Owusu-Darko who supervised Oliver throughout this placement for his support and encouragement, and of course for nominating him as Participant of the Year. Rodney told the panel that “Oliver showed great enthusiasm during lab sessions. What was even more impressive was his skill and calm during technically challenging lab tasks.” Oliver was able to attend the annual awards ceremony at the Royal Institution, London in person and was awarded “Participant of the Year” . Oliver commented that “the whole experience has helped me further consider what I want to do later in life” and he is “extremely excited to take what I have learnt into my final year at college”.