Search Is On For The Next Young Kelvin

04 December 2024

The legacy of one of Belfast\'s most famous sons, William Thomson, Lord Kelvin is set to inspire future generations with the launch of a new physics competition in his name.

The Young Kelvin Prize is the result of a partnership between the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Institute of Physics - the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland.  

Speaking at the launch, the IoP Chief Executive Tom Grinyer said, 'Today, we stand on the shoulders of a giant – a true child of Belfast who transformed our understanding of science, technology, and the world around us. Lord William Thomson, better known as Lord Kelvin, was not just a physicist, but a visionary who bridged the worlds of academic research, practical engineering, and entrepreneurial spirit. 

'Kelvin was remarkable not just for his scientific brilliance, but for his ability to translate complex theory into practical solutions that made a difference to people’s lives. From developing the absolute temperature scale that bears his name to improving the transatlantic telegraph cable – a technological marvel that revolutionised global communication – Kelvin showed us that true innovation happens at the intersection of deep scientific understanding and bold practical application. 

'It is in this spirit that we launch the Young Kelvin prize in partnership with the Ulster-Scots Agency – a competition designed to inspire and empower all our 16 to 18-year-old students to become the next generation of technicians, engineers, programmers, innovators and entrepreneurs. 

'This competition is more than a contest. It is a celebration of curiosity and a challenge to think beyond boundaries. Participants will be invited to learn from all of Kelvin’s work, his successes and his failures. 

'We are not just looking for physics knowledge, but the ability to engage with the real world in sharing that knowledge, what Kelvin himself embodied. If Kelvin were alive today, he would be likely leading the work on renewable energy, healthcare technology, environmental sustainability, space, AI and Quantum computing. Our world needs new answers in every one of these fields and Kelvin’s mantle falls to you, the next generation. 

'To our young participants, I say this: the Ulster-Scots and all from here have a proud legacy of scientific and technological innovation. From Lord Kelvin to modern-day pioneers like Jocelyn Bell-Burnell and John Stewart-Bell, you have consistently punched above your weight in global scientific achievements. Now, it is your turn to write the next chapter of this inspiring story. Embrace curiosity. Challenge conventions. Think boldly. Measure precisely. These were the principles that guided Lord Kelvin, and they can guide you too.' 

Ulster-Scots Agency Chief Executive Ian Crozier said, 'Kelvin is a standout achiever in the Ulster-Scots community and that is saying something from a community that has given high achievers to the world in almost every field of human endeavour.  It is truly fitting that in the bicentennial of his birth we should honour his memory with a prize that inspires future generations to follow in his footsteps.' 

The Young Kelvin Prize was launched in the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, the school which the future Lord Kelvin attended in his youth and where his father was a maths professor. 

Principal Ms Williamson said, 'RBAI continues to build on its legacy of excellence, demonstrated in the high standards in physics and science.  The Young Kelvin Prize represents continuity between the past, present and future as we prepare our boys to take their place in society.'