The Royal College of Science Union’s Competition – Vyas Burra

Vyas Burra, one of our GCSE pupil’s, was chosen as the youngest finalist in this year’s Royal College of Science Union’s Science Challenge.  Ever since a young age, Vyas has had a great passion for science.   To satisfy this quest for knowledge Vyas has decided to pursue Medicine as a career, and, like many boys at Merchant Taylors’ has chosen maths and three sciences for his A levels.  Vyas has also been completing work experience at local hospitals to acquire first hand experience of life as a doctor.

The Science Challenge is the Royal College of Science Union’s annual science communication competition.   Entrants from all over the country are required to demonstrate their skills in scientific debate and reasoning.    The Science Challenge encourages thought amongst future scientists; what are the problems affecting society?   How can they use science to help resolve them?   How can we effectively communicate science and its consequences to the wider public?

The judges this year included Aarathi Prasad (biologist and writer),  Alok Jha (science correspondant at ITV News),  Professor Sir Brian Hoskins (a Professor of Meterology) and Professor Sir. John Pendry (a condensed matter theorist).

Vyas said, “I had the chance to meet not only my judge, Dr Aarathi Prasaad, but also renowned international science figures, namely Lord Robert Winston. This was a truly memorable and humbling evening for me, and I hope this lays the foundation for future developments in science.”

Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School has just received an outstanding inspection report from ISI where the inspectors made particular comment that ‘expertise in mathematics and physics is demonstrated by pupil’s success in National Challenge events.’

‘We are extremely proud of what Vyas has achieved and thrilled with the ISI’s independent survey results”

Vyas Burra at the Royal College of Science Union’s Awards Evening