Students heading to regional finals of national sustainability competition

Year 8 students from Outwood Academy Freeston in Normanton, and Outwood Academy Shafton in Barnsley, are celebrating after being named as Regional Finalists for the Big Ideas Programme, a national STEM and enterprise competition run by Solutions for the Planet.

The competition challenges young people aged 11-14 to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing sustainability issues. Out of a record-breaking 149 submissions nationwide this year, only 57 teams were selected to advance to the Regional Finals.

Three standout teams from the Outwood Family of Schools will now present their business cases to a panel of expert judges at the regional finals; two Outwood Academy Shafton teams will present their Big Ideas at the University of Bradford on Thursday, May 14, and the Outwood Academy Freeston team will present at the University of York on Friday, May 15, competing for a place in the National Final held at the Palace of Westminster.

As part of the programme, students are connected with business mentors to develop Big Ideas that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By presenting at the Regional Finals, students will earn a CREST Bronze Award, recognising their high-quality work in STEM.

The Big Ideas through to the regional final from Outwood schools are:

4ever Fizz: Aiming to tackle the crisis of single-use plastics, this team developed a reusable-bottle vending machine concept. The machine allows users to mix sparkling water with various flavoured concentrates, providing a healthier, eco-friendly alternative to traditional bottled fizzy drinks.

Electroben: Focused on energy conservation and supporting the vulnerable, Electroben is an automatic plug socket system. Using a companion app, users can schedule timers to control when electronic appliances turn on and off. The project is specifically designed to help elderly residents manage their homes more easily while significantly reducing domestic electricity waste.

Habitat Haven Alliance (HHA): Addressing the devastating impact of deforestation and habitat loss, this team proposed the creation of dedicated animal shelters for displaced or abandoned wildlife. Their project focuses on restoring biodiversity and providing a safety net for local ecosystems.

Lee Wilson, CEO at Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT), said:

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their creativity and dedication. At OGAT, we believe that our students' voices and opinions are vital; they are not just learners, but architects of change in our communities. The Big Ideas Programme empowers young voices to realise they have the potential to solve global problems. Seeing two teams from Shafton and one from Freeston reach this stage is a reflection of the innovative spirit and leadership across our academies.”

The teams are now preparing their professional pitches for the Regional Finals, where they will face questions from industry professionals and sustainability experts. Successful teams from this round will go on to represent the North of England at the National Final in London later this year.

For more information about the Big Ideas Programme, visit solutionsfortheplanet.co.uk