Newcastle University

A new project led by Newcastle University is inspiring young people and demonstrating the value of university research.

Leading Edge offers groups of year nine students from Newcastle and North Tyneside schools the chance to team up with an academic from Newcastle University or Northumbria University to undertake a mini research project.

The school students will work with the academic to research the background of their allocated project topic and will then spend time on campus taking part in practical experiments to test their research.

The project finale is a presentation and celebration event at the Centre for Life in July, where all the groups will present their research project and findings to a public audience, including their peers, teachers and families.

Dr Phillip Aldridge, of Newcastle University, who is leading the project, said: "There are ten projects involving staff from the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. There has been a great response so far, the kids really love taking part. We encourage the students to research their own project before coming into university to work with an academic to put it into action. Our aim is that the experience will let them see that science is a viable option for them in the future."

Sue Blakemore, School Improvement Adviser, Newcastle City Council, talked about the benefits of Leading Edge. She said: "This is an amazing opportunity for the 12 to 14 year olds and their parents to see what goes on in university laboratories and lecture theatres up and down the country every day. They could be contributing to real research, making a real difference."