Kirsten reaches prestigious UK science and engineering competition finals

Date published: 20 February 2018


A student from Crompton House Sixth Form College has been selected to compete at the UK finals of a science and engineering competition after an exciting individual project caught the eye of judges.

Kirsten Headspith will now take her place in this year’s The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition.

The winning entry was a project from Kirsten entitled ‘Characterisation of adipocyte in vitro models: Assessment of lipid droplet accumulation and protein expression’.

As part of the project, she investigated the role of a certain type of cell as a cause for obesity and type 2 diabetes, with a view to helping develop a more effective treatment for the diseases in the future.

Beth Elgood, Director of Communications at EngineeringUK, said: “Kirsten really impressed the judges with her project and we’re excited to see how she goes at the finals at The Fair."

Going into its tenth year in 2018, The Big Bang Fair continues to be a great source of STEM inspiration for young people, representing an amazing opportunity for young visitors, their teachers and parents to get hands-on with a wide range of activities, workshops and shows, and engage in meaningful career conversations with professionals, all designed to bring classroom learning to life and inspire the next generation.

Kirsten will now be invited to attend the competition finals, which are taking place at Birmingham’s NEC between March 14-17.

Here, entrants will vie for top prizes including the coveted title of UK Young Engineer and GSK UK Young Scientist of the Year.