Congratulations to Upper Sixth Flo R, one of just six runners-up in the 2024 Oxford Scientist Schools Science Writing Competition for students in Year 10-13.

Flo, who was at Rosebery School and now studies A Levels in Psychology, Politics and English Literature, chose to write on the theme ‘Data and Humans in the Digital Age’, with her resulting essay titled ‘Phone use and marshmallows: How less is s’more’.  

Flo explained, “I entered because I really enjoy both writing and psychology, but it also extended my reading on areas of psychology that I’m interested in, such as how dopamine is used in the brain.  I really enjoyed the challenge of using a more formal written style while still engaging people who may not know much about the subject.”

Central to Flo’s essay was the ‘Marshmallow Test’, a well-known experiment that she used to explain how the delayed gratification we gain from other activities is healthier than the instant gratification gained through phone use.

Flo continued, “As well as being enjoyable, I feel this experience has helped to strengthen my application to study Psychology at university.”