At Norwich High School for Girls, we are always looking for ways to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world impact. In September the Science department introduced the CREST Awards into the co-curricular offering at Norwich High School for Girls.

The awards are supported by the British Science Association (BSA) and aim to engage students in inspiring and impactful student-led projects in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) that engage and reward young people, unlocking potential and developing communication and project management skills. It was developed by the BSA with the aim of making science more relevant, representative and connected to society moving beyond the curriculum.

Our group of students are encouraged to either practically investigate a scientific idea or to design and make something for their project with the only brief being that it links to a wider purpose within society – and interests them of course!

One of the most impressive projects from this cycle of awards is from Tessa in Year 10, who combined her passion for product design and sustainability to solve a problem close to home: cycling safety.

For Tessa and her family, cycling is the primary mode of transport. However, as any regular commuter knows, the transition into the darker months of autumn and winter brings significant risks.

“I am aware that daily journeys are typically in the dark-pre-dawn or post-dusk,” Tessa explains. “Frame lights can be tedious to remove to prevent theft or for charging. Sometimes they are simply forgotten in the rush to school, leaving the cyclist in a dangerous position.”

Tessa’s solution was to create a ‘fit and forget’ safety system: a helmet with integrated LEDs powered entirely by the sun.

The Bronze Award requires 10 hours of dedicated research and development. Tessa’s journey began with market analysis, where she identified a gap for solar-powered safety gear after comparing existing high-end USB-charged helmets. Moving from theory to engineering, she developed a parallel circuit to power both front and rear LEDs, ensuring maximum visibility without adding unnecessary weight. Finally, she used precision crafting techniques, including a lino cutter to hollow out the helmet’s foam, to ensure the solar panels and battery packs were integrated securely and sat flush with the surface for a professional finish.

No great engineering project happens without a few hiccups. Tessa’s initial circuitry kept short circuiting. To solve this, she had to use a solder-remover to carefully remove any excess solder between elements, which was tricky and required a lot of patience. It then transpired that the voltage provided by the solar panel exceeded the capacity of the re-chargeable batteries, causing battery decomposition. Tessa describes: “I left the helmet in the daylight in our kitchen, and a few minutes later, I saw it smoking!”. True to the spirit of a scientist, she researched a fix integrating a voltage regulator to cap the input and protect the batteries. Tessa said: “These hurdles taught me the value of trial, improvement, and perseverance – valuable lessons for engineering and the wider world.”

Tessa’s project was a huge success, resulting in a functional prototype that meets a genuine societal need. While she is still in Year 10, Tessa is already looking toward A-level STEM subjects and a career that allows her to use her passion for design and research.

Our Science Department, led by the guidance of Miss Jolly, Mr Jones and Mrs Johns, continues to host the CREST Award club every Tuesday lunchtime. We encourage all students to join, whether their interests lie in bridge design, biology or sustainable technology.