THE size of the task didn’t deter teenager Josh Thomas at a science competition – he simply gave a talk about the biggest thing there is, the universe!

And his three-minute presentation on The Scale of the Universe won the 14-year-old student at Wyedean School second place at the prestigious Gloucestershire FameLab final.

Watched by some 150 students, parents and teachers, Josh confidently took to the EDF Energy stage at Barnwood in Gloucester to dazzle the audience with his knowledge of “light years and Planck lengths”.

Wyedean School teacher Stuart Motson said: “Competing against a formidable array of students handpicked from top Gloucestershire secondary schools, Josh delivered an impressive, fluent and charismatic talk on the Scale of the Universe.

“This is a truly impressive achievement for Josh. The judges agreed the field keeps improving year on year, and this year the judging was incredibly tight.

“Josh’s fantastic delivery and content earned him joint second place, narrowly being beaten by a student from Pate’s Grammar School.

“We’re delighted to take part in FameLab Academy because it gives students a chance to learn more about an area of science that really excites them, increases their confidence and allows students to practise their public speaking ready to face interviews, deliver presentations as well as thrive professionally and academically.”

FameLab Academy is a competition for Year Nine students in Gloucestershire, sponsored by EDF Energy. Pupils have just three minutes to explain a scientific topic in a dynamic and engaging way to a panel of judges who adjudicate presentations based on their content, clarity and charisma.

The judges at the March 23 final were Jo Durrant (BBC Radio Gloucester), Jonny Brooks-Bartlet (Data Scientist at News UK) and Gwen Parry Jones OBE (Generation Development Director, EDF Energy).

Students from 13 schools gave polished performances on subjects ranging from ‘Hormones’, to ‘Would it be possible to walk up a wall?’ to ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’ and ‘Dreams’.

FameLab Academy is a sister competition to Cheltenham Festival’s international FameLab competition which discovers and promotes the best new voices in science, technology and engineering and is currently hosted in 27 countries.

Bob Fenton, head of communications at EDF, said: “FameLab Academy is a great thing to be part of: it’s great for the imagination and it’s great to see so many young people inspired to participate, as science and engineering are fundamental to everyday life.

“As well as helping to build better understanding of STEM subjects we know the competition improves the communications skills and confidence of all the students who take part.

“Supporting education is really important to EDF Energy, and the opportunity to be part of Cheltenham Science Festival is a significant part of us reaching out in to the wider community.”

The FameLab Academy video can be seen online.