Student innovators heading to Westminster after securing regional win
A team of young innovators from Outwood Academy Shafton are celebrating after being named regional winners in the Big Ideas Programme. The team, known as ‘Electroben,’ has successfully navigated the regional heats of the national STEM and sustainability competition and will now travel to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster to compete in the National Final on June 30.
The Big Ideas Programme, delivered by Solutions for the Planet, challenges students aged 11-14 to develop creative business solutions to global sustainability issues. Out of 149 submissions nationwide and 57 teams making it to the regional finals, Electroben stood out for their practical and compassionate approach to energy conservation, securing a place in the final 12.
Their idea features an intelligent, automatic plug system designed to tackle two major issues: domestic electricity waste and the challenges faced by people with mobility issues who struggle with conventional plugs.
Controlled via a dedicated mobile app, the Electroben system would allow users to set automated timers for electronic appliances. This ensures that devices are not left on standby unnecessarily, reducing carbon footprints and energy bills, while the design of the plug itself has an easy-to-grip shape.
Having impressed a panel of industry experts at the Regional Final, the Electroben team, comprised of talented Year 8 and 9 students, will now represent their school and the region on the national stage. The upcoming National Final at the Palace of Westminster offers the students a platform to pitch their idea to MPs, business leaders, and sustainability experts.
Elizabeth Casey, Science Teacher at Outwood Academy Shafton, said:
“We are all incredibly excited for Electroben; their project perfectly balances technological innovation with social responsibility. To see our students take their vision all the way to Westminster is a reflection of their hard work and the high aspirations we hold here at Shafton, and it's an experience they will never forget. We'll be cheering them on every step of the way to the capital!”
The Big Ideas Programme is an award-winning STEM and enterprise initiative that connects schools with business mentors. By focusing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the programme encourages young people to apply their classroom learning to real-world environmental and social challenges.
