Students recognised for their innovation
Four young Devon-based students have received a prestigious award recognising talent in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at this year’s Enterprising Young Devon Awards.
The accolades, sponsored by Devon County Council, were held at the University of Exeter’s Big Bang Fair South West.
Students from South Dartmoor Academy, Braunton Academy, Tavistock College and Kingsbridge Community College beat off 450 competitors from 36 schools in the region, all aged between 11 and 18 years, to have their projects crowned the best in demonstrating innovation, creativity, risk taking and marketability.
Sixteen-year-old Miles Court from Braunton Academy impressed judges with a product designed to take the weight off the front end of a car when towing. The car towing ‘dolly’ with articulated plate, aims to improve manoeuvrability and safety for drivers and other road users.
Seventeen-year-old Emily Spry from Tavistock College demonstrated excellent design with her creation of nautilus shell furniture, inspired by the natural spiral forms found in nature. Her collection of three tables, made with curves and spirals, were both practical and aesthetic.
Oli Slocombe, a 15-year old student from South Dartmoor Academy, used locally sourced sustainable timber to promote an outdoor lifestyle, working with Devon manufacturers to come up with uniquely designed, commercially viable, BBQ equipment.
While 16-year-old Heléna Doré from Kingsbridge Community College designed an originally-styled board game, presented in the guise of a book. The creative and marketable design is what made this project stand out.
The winners of the Devon County Council-sponsored competition, held at the University of Exeter’s Big Bang Fair South West, will receive dedicated business development support to help them progress their business ideas further, with the aim to get the products to market.
Their schools also win an ‘enterprise day’, bringing in entrepreneurs and ambassadors from the business community to encourage innovation and creativity.
Next March (2015), the winners could have their winning projects entered in the national finals of the National Big Bang, held in Birmingham.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economy and Growth, said: “All of the winners demonstrated a high level of innovation, creativity, risk taking and marketability, which is exactly what we were looking for.
“The Enterprising Young Devon Award is about bringing science, technology, engineering and maths alive for young people in Devon and being a source of inspiration and excitement to help drive entrepreneurship.
“I believe this year’s event has been vital in encouraging interest in these subjects and ensuring young people are aware of the varied and rewarding careers available to them in these areas.
“We’re really pleased to be continuing to support a competition that recognises the enterprising spirit of Devon’s schools and young people.
“We’ve yet again seen some really impressive ideas and concepts come through this competition and this year has been no exception.”
The awards were presented by Rokk Media's Senior Strategist, Fredrik Delin, attending as Ivybridge College tech partner. Read more here.
