Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Robert Winston wins Royal Society Book Prize for a third time with ‘Utterly Amazing Science’



Researcher, doctor, writer and broadcaster, Robert Winston has won the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize for a third time with Utterly Amazing Science. The book is jam packed with colourful illustrations, engaging text and amazing facts and stories, capturing young imaginations and helping readers get to grips with the various subjects within science.  

The winning book is published by DK and covers core national curriculum content in science, the human body and maths. It includes a multitude of pop-ups, flaps, games and activities for kids to try at home. Winston also won the prize in 2012 with Science Experiments and 2005 with What makes me me?

The winner was chosen by over 1,500 young people in Judging Panels around the country and the Prize was presented at a prestigious award ceremony this afternoon (16 November) at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

The young judges said:

Destiny, 10
"This book is full of very cool facts and popups."

Asma, 12
"This book is scientifically awesome! Even my 15 year-old sister liked it!"

Meg, 9
"What a brilliant book, I'm definitely going to read it all." 

Adam, 11
"Creative, imaginative, fact-filled and fun." 

Matthew, 12
"An utterly amazing book, with fun radiating from it! Every page is a new adventure." 

Chrystabelle, 12
"This book is an absolute winner. I enjoyed reading it from cover to cover as it's well written yet easy to read, colourful and full of interesting information."

Mariusz, 12,
"It wants me to go and do science! And the pop-ups are great too"

Leah, 8
"This book is amazing."

The shortlist from which the young people chose a winner was selected by an expert adult judging panel made up of Professor John Burland FRS (Chair), Royal Society University Research Fellow Dr Stephanie Schorge, television presenter and host of the CBBC Book Club Katie Thistleton, English teacher Dr Shaun Long, and Guardian children’s books editor Julia Eccleshare.

Professor John Burland FRS, Chair of the adult judging panel said:

“I am delighted to hear our young judges have chosen Utterly Amazing Science as this year’s winner of the Royal Society Young People’s Prize - it was my personal favourite too. All of the books on this year’s shortlist have been written by authors that are very obviously passionate about inspiring young people about the wonders of science.

“Utterly Amazing Science brings to life topics that our young people will be learning about in schools in a colourful and fun way. The best way to learn about the scientific laws that govern our universe is to get out there and experiment. Robert Winston’s book certainly delivers on this front with lots of simple and effective activities to try at home or in the classroom. I hope that it inspires the next generation of scientists, doctors, engineers and perhaps even science teachers.”

The book wins an award of £10,000 and the shortlisted books each receive £1,000.

More information about the prize can be found at:





Young people from Boreatton Scout Group judge the shorlist.

No comments: