Chiswick Students Shine in Ground-Breaking Physics Research Project

Since November 2025, a group of our students have been taking part in the ORBYTS programme in partnership with University College London (UCL). This unique initiative gave our Year 10 students the opportunity to work alongside university researchers on genuine scientific research projects, providing an authentic experience of what it is like to be a scientist.

This year, our students investigated Material Differentiation with a Micro-CT Machine, exploring how different materials respond to X-rays and how changes in energy filtration can be used to distinguish between them. As part of their research, students learned about X-ray imaging, 3D CT scanning, digital image processing, and even used Python programming to analyse scientific data and investigate their results.

The project has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Throughout the year, students have worked collaboratively with researchers and their peers, developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom. They have strengthened their problem-solving abilities, learned how to analyse and interpret data, improved their teamwork and communication skills, and gained first-hand experience of the resilience and perseverance required in real scientific research.

A key aspect of the programme was communicating their findings in a professional manner. The students created presentations and produced two academic posters to showcase their research journey, findings, and conclusions. They then presented their work to a wider audience, an experience that has greatly increased their confidence and allowed them to develop valuable public-speaking and scientific communication skills.

Although the research did not always produce the expected results, the students discovered an important lesson that all scientists learn: research is as much about the process of investigation and discovery as it is about the final outcome. Through overcoming challenges and adapting their approaches, they gained a genuine appreciation for the nature of scientific enquiry.

We are incredibly proud of everything our students have achieved over the past eight months. Their dedication, curiosity, and willingness to tackle concepts well beyond the secondary school curriculum have been truly inspiring. The ORBYTS programme has broadened their understanding of physics, raised their aspirations, and shown them that they are capable of contributing meaningfully to real scientific research.

Congratulations to all of the students involved for representing the school so brilliantly and embracing this exceptional opportunity with enthusiasm and determination. We look forward to seeing where their passion for science takes them next.