Burnham Grammar School student wins top Cambridge University essay prize

The prestigious Peterhouse College Kelvin Science Prize essay competition has been won by Burnham Grammar School student Michael Nozdrin.

Michael wrote his essay on why he would take a motorised digital watch back to the year 1800 to help advance science.

The Hogfair Lane school pupil was awarded the prize on Friday, June 26, as well as a night’s stay at the college, a chance to meet academics and admission tutors at the university, and £500.

The competition is run to offer students the opportunity to consider an unfamiliar topic of their own choice in depth, to carry out their own research on it, and to have their work assessed by Cambridge academics.

Michael said: “I was really thrilled when I got the letter. I decided on my topic which I was reading around at the time – piezoelectricity. Although it took me a long time to research and produce, plus numerous drafts it was well worth it.”

Science teacher John Hudson said: “Michael’s 4,000-word essay went through eight or so drafts and was a real labour of love. Michael totally deserves his success.”

Feedback from the Peterhouse judges said: “The standard of entries is always high, Michael was chosen for his clear style, level of research and originality of thought.

“The judges were also looking for breadth of research and source materials and a critical approach to those sources.

“It is also to encourage high-flying students to consider applying to Cambridge by giving them a taste of the type of work they would experience here.”

The science prize is named after Lord Kelvin, inventor and pioneer in thermodynamics, electricity and telegraphy.