Megan Penrod of the Grey Group at the fume cupboard, courtesey Michael Webb ©University of Cambridge
Congratulations to Megan Penrod who was awarded the Faraday Institution Community Award STEM Outreach Award recognising her work engaging and inspiring young people in science outreach.
The awards ceremony was hosted at the Faraday 2023 conference at the University of Birmingham.
Megan Penrod joined our department in 2021 as a Research Assistant in Professor Dame Clare Grey’s group at the University of Cambridge. She researches the thermal stability of lithium nickel oxides and how different binders affect material composition.
Alongside her research, she runs inspiring STEM outreach workshops in schools to encourage the next generation of battery scientists.
Megan commented about her outreach for the Faraday Institution: “We aim to give the kids a real-world concept of how batteries work, and have been using the RSC’s model. This involves making batteries out of pennies, aluminium foil and cardboard that has been soaked in lemon juice or vinegar. (We choose a safe electrolyte because one of the kids always tries to drink it)! This is then attached to a calculator or a buzzer.”
The award panel noted: “Megan has gone above and beyond in taking a leading role in providing STEM outreach activities focusing on electricity and energy storage to young people whilst growing and empowering an enthusiastic outreach team. A primary focus has been to inspire young people about the wonder of batteries and associated careers, gaining praise from volunteers and teachers alike.
“The enthusiasm and hard work involved in making these events a success clearly shows Megan’s commitment and how she embodies the core values of the Faraday Institution, making her a worthy winner of this year’s STEM outreach award.”