Outwood Academy Freeston Into Regional Finals Of Big Ideas Competition
Two teams of Year 8 students from the Outwood Academy Freeston, mentored by employees from local manufacturing company Kongsberg Automotive in Normanton, have made it through to the regional finals of a prestigious nationwide competition where they develop a solution to a sustainability-related problem that matters to them.
The Big Ideas programme, an award-winning science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) and enterprise programme is open to students from schools across the UK. Partner companies provide mentors for the students who help them develop their ideas and business cases.
The regional finalists were chosen from an initial shortlisting selection in March, and have been working hard building a portfolio of work which will be marked by a panel of judges next week. This will be followed by the Virtual Regional Final event, a live Q and A session held online between the teams and the judges on July 2nd.
Sarah Pearce, who led the Outwood Academy Freeston team on this, said:
“It has been a fantastic experience for the students and me working alongside the amazing mentors from Kongsberg Automotive.
“The mentors have inspired our students who have grown in confidence and developed their Big Ideas into very professional business plans. Kongsberg have continued to inspire all our pupils by supporting our careers events at the academy.”
Lisa Allott, Principal at Outwood Academy Freeston, added:
“At Outwood, we believe in putting students first, to help them achieve their potential and this goes beyond the classroom.
“The students have had an amazing time being involved in this project and recognise that they have been exceptionally fortunate to work alongside the mentors from Kongsberg Automotive, learning life-long skills working with these professionals.
“We are truly grateful for the experience and I am so proud of our students and the ideas they generated, which I believe are truly genius and I know they have grown as individuals as part of this process. I would like to thank Kongsberg Automotive for everything they have done for this group of young people and for all their support with careers in our academy with all students."
Kongsberg Automotive, who since 2007 has owned the Normanton Plant which delivers PTFE & Nylon formed hose to a wide range of customers across numerous sectors, decided to get involved as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of engineers.
As Mark Spence, Kongsberg Automotive Normanton’s Plant Manager says: “We want to support our local community whenever we can, and what better way than to build students’ interest and excitement in the STEM subjects.
“It’s invigorating to see the students develop their ideas and grow in confidence as the programme progresses. More than ever before, young people are thinking about sustainability and their futures and we are proud to support them make positive changes.”
Nearly 4000 students nationwide participated in the Big Ideas programme this year, with over 20,000 students having participated since its initiation in 2013.
Jen Baughan, CEO of Solutions for the Planet, the social enterprise that runs the award-winning programme explains: “The Big Ideas programme gives young people in high school opportunities to explore STEM subjects and sustainability through independent and project-based learning and nurtures their natural creativity.
“Bringing business mentors, teachers and young people together provides a skills and knowledge sharing platform with the power to make a real difference.
“Through the Big Ideas programme students, teachers and mentors alike develop entrepreneurship, teamwork, and presentation skills, and broaden their knowledge of how STEM skills can be universally practically applied.”