School technicians are the lynchpin of a department. Recently, they are being more publicly recognised for their hard work and enthusiasm. The Salters’ Institute, in collaboration with the Association for Science Education, the Institute of Biology, the Institute of Physics, The Royal Society and The Royal Society of Chemistry, runs the National Awards for Science Technicians, open to science technicians in schools and colleges who have a total of five or more years’ experience (either full-time or part-time). This year’s winners are: Michelle Bartley from Durham high school for girls, Durham; Tracy Callen from Portchester community school, Fareham; Debra Kirton from St Joseph’s RC community school, Hebburn; and Carole Potter from The Ellen Wilkinson school for girls in the London borough of Ealing.

For details: www.salters.co.ukinstitute