Cat won the Microbiology Zone in June 2011. We asked Cat to write a short report on what she’s been doing with her prize money. Here’s what she said:

When I got told that I had been chosen as one of the Scientists in the Microbiology Zone, I knew exactly where the prize money would go if I won. As a STEM Ambassador I’ve been really lucky to have the opportunity to pass on my love for science to kids in Glasgow, but now I knew I wanted to spread the love further! This time all the way to a little village called Boma nGombe in Tanzania

While £500 is not a lot of money, I knew that it could have a huge impact on the kids living at the Tír Na N’Óg orphanage. These kids have had a really hard start to life, but the people who run the orphanage recognise the role a good education can play in ensuring the long term health and happiness of these kids.

Working with Louise, who runs the fundraising side of the orphanage from Ireland, we decided that the money would be best spent buying basic classroom equipment for a wide range of ages. A new purpose built school is just nearing completion, but we couldn’t wait until it was ready to pass on some of the science equipment!

Some of the equipment we purchased was strictly educational, such as classroom posters and a skeleton to teach the children about the human body and ecology field trip equipment, but others, such as a “Disgusting Science” kit were a little more fun! These little pieces of equipment may seem really basic, but they will provide invaluable tools to help educate the kids on aspects of science and medicine that will have a huge impact on their life in a fun and novel manner.

We have withheld one piece of equipment to be installed in the new school; a digital projector. We’ve kept this as a surprise for the kids, and we know they are going to love it. The teachers will use the projector to show the kids science programs to supplement their schoolwork. We’ve lined up a few simple English speaking series for them so to have a double impact of teaching them about science and improving their English language skills as well.

During the competition, so many of the students taking park were really supportive of my plans for the prize money. The science equipment I have provided the school with is really a gift from these students, so on behalf of everyone at the Tír Na N’Óg orphanage and myself I would like to say “Asante sana” (Swahili for Thank you very much)