This news item was written by two of the students who attended:
Being part of the King’s Hub, we were extremely delighted to have the opportunity to not only join, but also help organize the 2017 Young Scientists Journal Conference held in Queens’ College, Cambridge. The event went off successfully and we all gained a lot from it.
We set off early and arrived at Cambridge to help set up before everyone arrived. A team of eight King’s pupils were helping throughout the day; with the registration process, ushering, and with IT support. The conference started with welcoming speeches by Miss Christina Astin (the journal’s founder) and student Chief Editor Peter He, who were running the event. The speakers included Nicole Liew, Michael Sutherland, and Professor Dame Frances Ashcroft who were all inspiring and engaged the audience in their talks. As well as the talks available, Niek d’Hondt, Professor Becky Parker, and Neil Trevethan led workshops on scientific storytelling, research in schools, and CREST Awards respectively.
Best of all, perhaps, the students themselves also had an opportunity to participate in the conference. Some students brought along posters which were exhibited throughout the day. They had carried out research on their topics of interest in different aspects of science and some shared it with us during the poster presentation session. Two of the King’s pupils, Cecily Carey and Yolanda Imoke, submitted a poster on their CREST project about the efficiency of sail design; they had their poster exhibited and won the runners-up prize! The day concluded with a Q&A panel on applying for STEM subjects at university, with input from both lecturers and undergraduates. Students found this very useful and beneficial in preparation for their university applications.
The conference finally ended with a VIP dinner in Queen’s College, where all the helpers and staff were invited. It was a chance to say goodbye to Miss Astin who has led the journal as its mentor for 11 years. We all enjoyed the conference, connecting with like-minded peers, it was indeed a memorable experience for all of us. We’re looking forward to continuing to work as a team running the journal, alongside students in schools around the world.
Sophie Main and Giselle Ngan