This year’s Cambridge Microscopes 4 Schools Competition brought the microscopic world into sharp focus for nearly 900 pupils across 22 schools in Cambridge, Peterborough, and Bedfordshire. The initiative aims to spark scientific curiosity by connecting everyday objects to the hidden structures beneath the surface—and introduce children to the world of research.
Priority is given to schools in areas where children may have limited exposure to scientific careers. Each participating school receives a hand-held digital microscope on loan for two weeks, during which pupils collect and examine biological samples ranging from insect wings to plant petals. After exploring their specimens, schools submit their top ten images to the competition.
Students also take part in “Meet the Scientists” online session, where LMB researchers explain how microscopes work, share insights into their cutting-edge research, and answer pupils’ questions—some of which are surprisingly deep and imaginative. This year, 32 scientists took part in the sessions, embracing the chance to connect with the next generation of curious minds.
The Cambridge competition is run by Group Leader Simon Bullock and the LMB Light Microscopy Facility and is facilitated by the LMB Public Engagement Team. Judging duties were carried out by Brad Amos, LMB Emeritus Scientist and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Photography; Shraddha Nayak, Head of Visual Communications at the LMB; and Madeline Lancaster, Group Leader in the Cell Biology Division.
This year’s First Prize went to Putnoe Primary School, in Bedford, for their image of a feather. Judges praised its “good detail, interesting subject, excellent focusing, and beautiful composition.” The school has won a digital microscope kindly donated by the competition sponsors, Brunel Microscopes Ltd.
Braybrook Primary Academy, in Peterborough, took Second Prize for their image of a flower, noted for its “good composition and lighting.” The Third Prize went to Balliol Primary School for their image of a plant, described by the judges as “Interesting, good composition, contrast, focus and unusual object.”
Teachers from participating schools that took part this year shared positive feedback:
“The competition helps the children’s scientific curiosity because it allows them to look at nature in a way that they would not normally be able to do”
“Wonderful to see their enthusiasm when they see nature close up”
“The wonders of the detail inspire the children to think about how things are made”
For more information on the competition
Previous winners
Stimulating children’s scientific curiosity through microscopy (2024)
Connecting the microscopic world to children’s everyday lives (2023)
Reaching further with our 2023 Microscopes4Schools Competition (2022)
Winning images from MRC LMB’s 2021 Microscopes4Schools Science Image Award revealed