We are very pleased to share with you the thoughts, inspirations and love of science of the winners of the Higgs Prize for Physics 2016, former Scottish High School pupils, Daniel Johnstone and Charlotte Facherty.

DANIEL JOHNSTONE

Daniel is a former pupil of James Young High School in Livingston and is now in his first year of studying medicine at University of St Andrews.

“Science, for me, is about curiosity, depth of thought and above all, passion.

From a young age I have immersed myself in the theory of the world around me and this interest has only been amplified by my continued studies. Personally, I find physics one of the purest fields of study – and Advanced Higher physics was the course I found most fascinating.

Physics is about asking and answering the impossible questions of the Universe. I have always loved the harmonious blend of science and art together, and this influenced my university choice of Medicine. Physics was the first subject in which I found this tie to the arts to be so strong. Without artistic creativity and innovation, the great questions of Physics can never be answered.

It has always been a focus of mine to nurture young scientists to help them harness their full ability. My greatest appreciation goes to all science teachers who promote STEM subjects to the young minds of tomorrow.

Personally, Dr. Charlotte Campbell, who taught me for four years in high school, acted as a role model for me. The way she spoke about science was so pure, and she was able to capture the imagination in an exquisite way. Dr Campbell helped bring the magic of science alive and has always managed to fuel my excitement for STEM subjects. Inspiring young people should be a primary focus of the future of science – and awards such as these help to recognize and congratulate the scientists of tomorrow.

This award is humbling and I feel the ultimate privilege to be a recipient. It fills me with the greatest pleasure to know that hard work and passion pay off in such a grandeur way. To have the award named after one of the heroes of our generation, Professor Peter Higgs, resonates with me as the legacy of the prize. It is my honour to gratefully accept such an incredible award – and everybody who has helped me to get to this point in my life deserves my greatest thanks.

CHARLOTTE FACHERTY

Charlotte is a former pupil of Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh and is now in her first year at University of Cambridge studying Physical Natural Sciences.  Charlotte is the second Higgs Prize winner from Boroughmuir High School, following Lucy Willets-White, who was one of the inaugural winners in 2013.

I was surprised and delighted to hear that I had won the Higgs Prize. It offers a priceless reward: the opportunity to visit CERN, the forefront of nuclear physics and, it could be argued, the best place on Earth for scientific discovery and innovation.

I had enjoyed all my school subjects, and it was difficult to narrow my choices and choose a specialism. I was fortunate to have excellent and inspiring teachers at Boroughmuir High school in Edinburgh.

I would especially like to thank my Physics teachers; Mr Kastelein, Mr Cochrane and Mr Fletcher, who have helped me achieve this prestigious award, and have encouraged and inspired me throughout my school years.

At the University of Cambridge, I am extending my understanding of Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Mathematics, and, though I have not yet decided what I career I would like to pursue, I am confident it will be in the field of science.

I want to add my personal thanks to the Scottish Government, and to Professor Higgs, for this award. It is a privilege to be chosen, and I look forward to my visit to Switzerland and to CERN.