Engaging the next generation of plant geneticists through sustained research: an overview of a post-16 project

Student career aspirations are directly linked to the careers that they are exposed to and the esteem that they are given in society. Where schools are located in areas with low visibility of scientific careers this will have an impact on student aspirations. This project is demonstrating that aspirations can be altered by engaging 16-18-year-old A level biologists in sustained research. A total of 20 students from schools across Jersey are attempting to sequence the chloroplast genomes from daffodils that they have collected from non-cultivated locations using Oxford Nanopore Technologies' MinION. Despite site closures due to COVID-19 control measures, the project has developed insight into different scientific careers through experience and ownership of the entire project pipeline. This project demonstrates an opportunity for schools and academics to collaborate to further science and potentially improve student outcomes.