OREANDA-NEWS. November 13, 2015. The Judd School, based in Tonbridge in Kent, has won the prestigious Rolls-Royce Science Prize for its inspirational teaching project ‘DNAvigate’. Hayley Andrews, who led the six-strong winning team, accepted the 2015 Science Prize from Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Warren East at a ceremony held at the Science Museum in London, UK.

Cheshire-based Rode Heath Primary School’s ‘Out of this World’ project, enthusing children through the topic of space, was the runner up. And Churchend Primary School, Reading, Berkshire was given The Eden Award for its ‘ECO-MAD’ project  by Sir Tim Smit, Executive Vice Chairman and Co-founder of the Eden Project.

Warren East said: “These are all very different projects but they share two common features. First, their success in firing the imaginations of the youngsters taking part, and second the obvious enthusiasm of some excellent teachers who clearly understand the importance of STEM education.”

Taking as its premise the importance of DNA technology for addressing major global issues, ‘DNAvigate’ (a community project) inspired passion and enthusiasm in the students for science, enhanced their communications skills and raised their awareness of ethical issues around the subject.

Ms Andrews said: “This has been a fantastic experience with great outcomes: academic attainment was increased amongst the participating students and an awareness of the potential of this exciting topic raised to both students and the public. We’re passionate about this project and winning the Rolls-Royce Science Prize means that it can continue and grow.”

“I’m sure that I speak for all entrants when I say that, ultimately the main value of the Science Prize has already been derived in being able to run our projects, making us all winners here.”

The Rolls-Royce Science Prize is the company’s flagship UK education programme, designed to encourage and reward innovative science teaching that in turn inspires students to enjoy science and consider it as a career. Applications for the 2016/2017 Prize can be submitted as part of an ENTHUSE-funded CPD course at the National Science Learning Centre in York or by completing an entry form.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc:

  1. Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business divisions, Aerospace and Land & Sea. These business divisions address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. Land & Sea comprises Marine, Nuclear and Power Systems.
  2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
  3. Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
  • Customer – placing the customer at the heart of our business
  • Concentration – deciding where to grow and where not to
  • Cost – continually looking to increase efficiency
  • Cash – improving financial performance.
  • Annual underlying revenue was ?14.6 billion in 2014, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at ?76.5 billion at 30 June 2015.
  • In 2014, Rolls-Royce invested ?1.2 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
  • Rolls-Royce employs over 54,000 people in more than 50 countries. Over 15,500 of these are engineers.
  • The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2014 we employed 354 graduates and 357 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes. Globally we have over 1,000 Rolls-Royce STEM ambassadors who are actively involved in education programmes and activities; we have set ourselves a target to reach 6 million people through our STEM outreach activities by 2020.