Bolton school a high Roller with the help of Museum collection

Industry giant Rolls-Royce and botanical investigations seem an unlikely combination but a Bolton school's environmental project has received a prestigious prize from the firm with the assistance of Patricia Francis, Curator of Botany.

Patricia Francis, Curator of Botany, holding the Rolls Royce Science trophy Pupils from St Stephen and All Martyr's school in Bolton inspect their project display at Bolton Museum

St Stephen and All Martyrs’ Primary School, located near Bolton, won the £15,000 prize for its ‘Darwin’s Footsteps’ project. The pupils used the Museum Botany collection to compare 100 year old plant specimens with the current flora and fauna at a wild area of land known as Bradford Park, near to the school.

Patricia was invited to attend a glitzy prize dinner, dining among the exhibits at the London Science Museum.

As part of the prize the team and pupils also get to spend a day with the Red Arrows flying display team.

Colin Johnson OBE, Rolls-Royce Science Prize Judge and Vice President (Young People’s Programme) of the British Association for the Advancement of Science commented:

Many schools run projects in which pupils explore their local environment, but this one is really special. It sets the scientific investigation in a broad historical context and takes the pupils on an exciting journey - both physically and mentally - into the "uncharted territory" which is on their doorstep. Warmest congratulations to the team.

The nine finalists emerged from a field of 622 schools and colleges that registered for the prize in the six months up to February 2006. By sharing examples of innovation and expertise demonstrated by the teams, the Rolls-Royce Science Prize contributes to the continuing professional development of science teachers.

The work that the pupils did for the competition, including a film about the project will be on display with the Rolls-Royce trophy at the Museum from the 6th July until the end of August.

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