Hillcroft pupil wins nationwide science competition

A pupil at Hillcroft School in Caterham has been picked out as a science star of the future after winning a prize in a nationwide schools competition.

Year Five pupil Maddison Craig was one of hundreds of schoolchildren across the country who took part in the ‘I’m a scientist, get me out of here’ competition, run by the Wellcome Foundation.

The online competition, based on the familiar reality television show format, involved children joining a ‘zone’ which also included six professional scientists as members, and engaging in science-related activities and chat, with regular ‘eviction’ votes taking place as the children pick their favourite scientist.

At the end, the scientists pick their best student – and Maddison was named winner of her zone, taking away a £20 WH Smith book token and a certificate.

“It’s no surprise the scientists chose Maddison as a winner,” said the school’s science leader Mr Holloway. “Her enthusiasm for science is truly infectious and, as a teacher, it’s wonderful to see.”

Although it was Maddison herself who won the prize, Mr Holloway said her success was symptomatic of the general attitude towards science throughout the school.

“Hillcroft is a science-mad school – the children love carrying out their own experiments and making discoveries,” he explained. “Maddison’s success shows our passion for the subject, and how committed Hillcroft is to creating the next generation of scientists.”