University of Nottingham - logo
Periodic Table of Nottingham
Ds

Darmstadtium

Nottingham element: Downie Sisters

Becky and Ellie Downie are Olympian sisters from Nottingham who are British Artistic gymnasts competing nationally and internationally.

Becky won her first British title at 12, competed in her first international at 13 and has competed in two Commonwealth Games, nine European Championships, seven World Championships and two Olympic Games.

Younger sister Ellie won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award in 2015.

The former Rushcliffe School pupil enjoyed major junior success in 2013 and 2014 as she won European juniors vault gold and then all-around bronze medals at the European juniors and Youth Olympics, where she won four medals in total.

She made significant strides in 2015 as she came third in the all-around classifications at the senior Euros and won team bronze at the senior World Championships.

Ellie was selected alongside her older sister Becky in GB’s team for the Rio Olympics after securing silver medals at the European Championships on the floor and vault, as well as in the team section.

Both are working towards Tokyo 2020.

Scientific element: Darmstadtium

Darmstadtium is a radioactive, synthetic element about which little is known.

It is classified as a metal and is expected to be a solid at room temperature.

It is made by fusing a nickel and lead atom together, and is a rare reaction. 

Watch and learn

Explore more elements