14 May 2025
Mr Paul Rickard, Head of Science
On the evening of 7 May, Lower Sixth Formers Lilico and Jovie took first and third place in Science Snippets, a competition designed to develop and showcase science communication skills, hosted by Tonbridge School. Participants were challenged to present a topic that particularly inspired them, delivering a four-minute talk pitched to be accessible and engaging for a Year 9 audience.
In a strong field, which included participants from Tonbridge, Charterhouse, St Olave’s, Caterham, and Westminster, Lilico captivated the audience with her talk, The Invisibility Cloak: From Harry Potter to Real Life, which not only explained the science behind cloaking technology but also sparked the imagination. Her confident delivery and accessible explanations secured her first place overall. Jovie, impressed both judges and peers with her insightful presentation titled Confessions of a ChatGPT Hater: Explaining Alphafold, exploring how AI is transforming our ability to predict the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Her clarity and thoughtful approach earned her third place.
All participants took a complex scientific concept and distilled it into a clear, relatable narrative - a vital skill in today’s world, where science communication bridges the gap between research and public understanding. This marks the fourth year Woldingham has taken part in Science Snippets, and our students have consistently delivered strong performances, either winning or placing in each competition. This sustained success reflects the courage and confidence we strive to instil in all our students, both in the sciences and beyond.
