A RESEARCH project by a Bicester pupil on treating intensive care patients has won him a place in the finals of a national science competition.

Jamie Wilson, a student at The Cooper School, will represent the South East at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineering Fair in Birmingham.

The project explored a more reliable way of monitoring patients’ blood glucose levels.

Normal tests are often disrupted by other reactions in the blood. Jamie has researched a way, by altering things such as concentration and temperature, to lessen the impact these reactions have have on tests, making it easy to get a glucose reading.

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The 17-year-old said: “When you are in the intensive care unit, the patient will recover quicker and more successfully if you can control the glucose levels.

He added: “I am really nervous but at the same time excited that I get to display my work to other people.”

The student will compete with other 11 to 18-yearolds, in front of a panel of celebrity judges in a Dragons’ Den-style pitch.

It will then be shown to 75,000 visitors at Birmingham NEC during the show.

The show will run from today to Saturday and will bring together projects in science, technology, engineering or maths.

The projects will be exhibited individually to prospective employers, universities, school groups and the public.

Jamie said: “It was great to come up with something that may have an impact on healthcare in the future.”

Prizes will be awarded across various age categories for up to six winners, six runners-up and 18 highly commended projects.

If Jamie wins, his work will then go forward to the European Young Scientist and Engineering Competition.

Imran Khan, chief executive of the British Science Association, which runs the National Science and Engineering Competition, said: “I am thrilled that Jamie has got through as a finalist and I wish him all the best for the national finals at The Big Bang Fair in Birmingham.

“This project really caught the imagination of the judges and I hope that it inspires other young people to enter the competition next year.”