Teenagers win four-figure sum after finishing joint-first in national competition

Six Year 13 students from Wycombe High School have secured joint-first place in a national competition, earning a £2,500 prize for their school with a digital poster that connects the climate crisis to modern medicine. The event, run by Imperial College London, challenged entrants to think beyond the classroom and communicate complex science in ways that resonate with real-world challenges.

The team’s project stood out for its clarity and originality, translating cutting-edge climate and health research into a visually engaging, accessible format. Over several weeks, the students combined scientific analysis with strong design and storytelling—distilling dense topics into an ePoster that was easy to navigate while remaining academically robust.

Judges highlighted the students’ ability to explain how a warming planet is already reshaping health outcomes. Their work examined issues such as heat-related illness and cardiovascular stress during extreme temperatures; the spread of vector-borne diseases as insects expand their ranges; worsening respiratory conditions linked to air pollution and wildfire smoke; and the mental health impacts of climate-driven disruption. The ePoster also explored the strain climate change places on health systems, from emergency preparedness to long-term public health planning.

Beyond the science, the competition rewards teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving—skills essential for the next generation of researchers and clinicians. The Wycombe High team demonstrated all three, showing how interdisciplinary collaboration can turn data into insight and insight into action.

The students’ success underscores a growing shift in education: climate literacy is no longer confined to geography or environmental science. Medicine, epidemiology, and public health now routinely integrate climate risk, from heatwave protocols in hospitals to surveillance for climate-sensitive diseases. Initiatives like this competition help students practice the communication and systems thinking needed to confront those challenges.

Wycombe High School’s headteacher, Nicola Renyard, praised the group’s dedication and collaborative spirit, noting that their achievement reflects the school’s emphasis on curiosity, innovation, and academic ambition. She said the recognition reinforces a culture that encourages students to push beyond the syllabus and pursue areas where their interests meet society’s most urgent needs.

The four-figure award is a boost for the school community, but the lasting impact may be the example set by the students themselves—showing how evidence-based research, thoughtfully presented, can influence understanding and spark solutions. Their joint-first finish signals that young people are not only paying attention to the climate-health nexus; they are equipped to communicate it with precision and purpose.

As climate extremes intensify, the ability to translate science into practical knowledge will be as crucial as the science itself. This win highlights how early experiences in research, communication, and teamwork can prepare students to contribute meaningfully to a resilient, healthier future.