“Star Jar” fund to spark students’ nuclear experiments

Students in the north of England can apply for cash from a “Star Jar” fund to help them with nuclear engineering experiments. The name comes from the nickname for small […]

Students in the north of England can apply for cash from a “Star Jar” fund to help them with nuclear engineering experiments.

The name comes from the nickname for small scale nuclear fusion projects which resemble a star in a jar for a split second.

The firm R&B Switchgear is offering the money to encourage youngsters to follow in the footsteps of Lancashire lad Jamie Edwards, the youngest person in the world to build a nuclear reactor.

A team from R&B gave parts, funding and help to Jamie in his world record bid, when he made two hydrogen atoms smash together to make helium.

Managing Director Mark Beswick said: “We want to work with more people like Jamie, supporting them and promoting science and engineering to young people.”

The industry needs to step up efforts to inspire the next generation of engineers, he said: “We feel it’s important that students get the help and the opportunities to explore science and be inspired to take up a career in engineering. This needs to be the responsibility of businesses as well as schools, and is something we’ll continue to support as a company.”

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