Congratulations to the group of Cirencester College students who have been recognised at the prestigious Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) Awards 2026.
Each year, Cirencester College students have the opportunity to undertake an IRIS project, allowing them to complete real scientific research and create an academic poster.
In June, 14 students presented 3 academic posters at the IRIS conference in Exeter. This was the culmination of a 7-month research project focusing on either analysing data from the ATLAS detector at CERN or modelling different ways of joining DNA together to create 3D structures called DNA Origami.
This year, one group also presented their project “Comparative Analysis of Supersymmetric Detection Methods” to the whole conference. They spoke incredibly well, conveying a complex topic with amazing clarity. At the beginning of September, the students were informed that this project had won the IRIS Outstanding Project Award for 2026. Selected from 267 research projects nationwide, the work was recognised as an outstanding example of student-led research in action.
Jack, part of the winning project, said “IRIS was a unique yet challenging opportunity to use science skills and teamwork to make an interesting project at the edge of research.”
Hazel, Project lead and Course Team Leader for Physics at Cirencester College, said “These projects take the students significantly beyond their A-level curriculum and they conduct real life research. As part of their journey they learn to programme, analyse data, work with others, and communicate complex ideas. Those taking part have really been inspired by the project.”
Dr Jo Foster, Director, Institute for Research in Schools, said “At IRIS, we believe young people should not just learn about science and its role in society, but help shape it.
At a time when the curriculum review is asking how education can become more relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the future, we believe research and innovation should be part of every young person’s education, so they can see themselves as the problem solvers our future depends on. Congratulations to all our IRIS award winners this year.”
For more information on this story please contact chloe.suter@cirencester.ac.uk
