Science Week at NLCS always brings a particular energy to the school, and this year’s STEM Conference embodied everything that makes our community vibrant, ambitious and intellectually bold.
The evening brought together students, staff and expert speakers for a programme that moved confidently across disciplines while preserving the distinct character of each. In their thoughtful opening remarks, student organisers Rehmat and Kayla reflected on the value of approaching complex questions through multiple lenses, physics, engineering, chemistry and beyond. It was a fitting introduction to an event defined by both breadth and depth.
We were delighted to welcome Dr Safia Danovi ONL, who traced her compelling scientific journey from undergraduate research to cancer biology, scientific publishing and her work at Cancer Research UK. She spoke with clarity about gene research, her PhD on p53, and the habits of mind developed through scientific training: designing experiments, analysing data, reading critically and writing with precision. Equally powerful was her reflection on recognising when a path no longer fits and having the courage to build a career aligned with one’s strengths and purpose.
Across the programme, students encountered an extraordinary range of ideas, questions and demonstrations. One session combined biology, chemistry and psychology to explore the difficult question of how far aggressive cancer treatment should go. In chemistry, Dr Tiancun Xiao captivated students with catalyst demonstrations, offering vivid reminders that the human body remains one of the most sophisticated chemical systems we know. Another workshop combined maths, physics and computer science to investigate Newton’s law of gravity through hands‑on problem‑solving.
The engineering panel featuring Professor Peter Childs, Sarah Azamtu and John Nut added yet another dimension. Sarah shared insights from aerospace and manufacturing, including her work adapting heat‑exchanger technology for Formula One. John highlighted the hidden complexity of civil and geotechnical engineering, where soil and geology subtly shape the design of major structures. Peter spoke compellingly about creativity as a driving force within engineering an idea that resonated strongly with our students.
Later in the evening, Dr Julia Griem introduced students to psychology through her research into antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy and brain imaging. Using structural and functional MRI, she explored questions of development, connectivity, empathy and behaviour, challenging students to think critically about science at the intersection of biology and humanity.
What emerged throughout the evening was the full texture of STEM: theoretical and practical, abstract and applied, exacting and imaginative. It was a celebration of curiosity, courage and the joy of asking difficult questions, qualities that define our students and our school.
A special thank you goes to Rehmat and Kayla, and to all the students whose ideas, preparation and leadership shaped this exceptional event.
