SHANE Collum from St Columba’s College, Stranorlar was awarded Best Overall prize at the Young Kelvin Prize Awards Presentation.

Shane demonstrated impressive insight relating to the work of Lord Kelvin (William Thomson), an Ulster-Scot born in Belfast in 1824, who earned many accolades during a glittering scientific career.

The Ulster-Scots Agency, in partnership with the Institute of Physics (IOP), were delighted to present the prize winners of the Young Kelvin Prize 2025 with their trophies in the picturesque surroundings of Parliament Buildings, Stormont earlier this month.

The Young Kelvin Prize aims to perpetuate his memory in Ulster and encourage young people to follow in his footsteps by making physics their choice for university and a future career.

Competition entrants were asked to demonstrate a strong understanding of the physics relating to an aspect of Kelvin’s work, and to demonstrate the highest standard of science communication or creativity in explaining an aspect of it.

The awards were presented by the Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Steve Aiken MLA.

The three prize winners, Patryk Piotrowski, Shane Collum and Joshua Tang, pictured with Lee Reynolds from the Institute of Physics (left) and William Olphert from the Ulster-Scots Agency (right).

Lee Reynolds, Lead of Ireland and Northern Ireland (Job Share) at the Institute of Physics, said: “It is great to see the new generation of Ulster Physicists being inspired by the life, scientific discoveries and business achievements of William Thomson, Lord Kelvin through the Young Kelvin Awards. Shane displayed skills showing our future contribution to physics is in talented hands. The IOP looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Ulster-Scots Agency to make next year an even greater success.”

The Young Kelvin Prize 2026 will be launched by the Ulster-Scots Agency and IOP in the coming months, offering students at secondary schools across the nine counties of Ulster another fantastic opportunity to showcase their knowledge and talent.