Twickenham’s St Mary’s University has received the runner-up prize for its educational physics events held as part of National Science and Engineering week.

Run by the British Science Association, the event held from March 9 to 22 celebrates science and engineering, encouraging schools, communities and institutions to hold their own events, with awards to the best ones.

St Mary’s applied physics department won the prize with a series of activities for pupils at schools and sixth forms called the Wonders of Physics, which involved a series of talks, discussions and workshops.

One of the most popular activities included a workshop giving pupils the opportunity to use household items to create their own physics experiment.

St Mary’s lecturer in applied physics Dr Elisabetta Canetta said: “It is not only recognition of St Mary’s University work in the field but also of the high quality of the physics events organised by the applied physics department.”

The British Science Association member judging the event awarded St Mary’s £200, which will go toward next year’s preparations.