Teesdale school

Rob Aspden was presented with the Rolls-Royce Science Prize Award Winner 2010 trophy at a glittering awards ceremony at the Science Museum in London on the 11 October, 2010.

The team at Teesdale, beat off competition from more than 1,500 schools to win the prize for their year-long project to research and develop feeding mechanisms for monkeys at Chester Zoo. The feeders require the monkeys to work out how the food is dispensed, helping to keep them active and healthy.

The school has now been awarded £15,000 to further advance science teaching for its students, as well as the chance to spend a day with the Red Arrows display team.

Presenting the award, Rolls-Royce Chief Executive, Sir John Rose, said: “I would like to congratulate all the finalists for their tremendous effort and commitment to teaching science. Teesdale Secondary School’s success shows how science can be used creatively to solve real challenges. It is essential that we inspire young people to think seriously about science and the opportunities it can bring not only in the classroom but beyond into their future careers.”

On being announced the winner, Teesdale Secondary School’s Rob Aspden, said: “Enthusing young people to engage in and enjoy the fascinating world of science and technology was at the heart of this project. It’s a great honour to accept this award on behalf of everyone at the school, whose hard work and dedication to science made the project possible."

More details of the winning project can be found in the Finalists section.

Winner with Sir John Rose, Sir James Dyson and Hermione Cockburn