Lord Sainsbury awards 'Go Green' students
Winners of the THINK kit Go Green! Competition to find the design and marketing talents of the future were announced today by Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Sainsbury.
In The Patent Office’s THINK kit Go Green! Competition, Design and Technology students were asked to design a device that monitors the amount of energy used in the home and Business Studies students were asked to develop a marketing campaign promoting the environmental benefits of such a device. Over 200 entries were received from across the United Kingdom. After an initial round of judging the students and teachers from nine schools were invited to the THINK kit Awards Ceremony in London.
Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Sainsbury said:
"These students will go on to become business people and wealth creators of the future and it is essential that we take every opportunity to nurture and support their emerging talent. If we as nation are to be in a position to compete effectively with developing economies it is vital that we equip our students with skill sets for life and an awareness of intellectual property issues."
"By using the THINK kit resource young people are developing essential skills needed to compete in a knowledge based global economy."
Chief Executive of The Patent Office Ron Marchant said:
"Ideas are a precious resource on which successful enterprises can be built. The THINK kit awards highlight the wealth of ideas that are generated in our schools today and I am impressed by the talent shown by the entrants."
"As a nation we owe it to our young people to provide them with the education and training that will give them the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential. The Patent Office will continue its close partnership with schools and Universities and work to contribute to this goal."
Students, Matthew Alner and Dominic Cesary from St Edwards School, Dorset won the Design and Technology award for their design which featured an innovative unit which allowed users to monitor the use of power in the home using Bluetooth technology. Teacher Kathryn D’Arcy said:
"This has been a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn about the value of Intellectual Property in a challenging and exciting way. The quality of the THINK kit design brief allowed the students to explore their ideas in a clear and structured way."
Students Catriona Patterson, Callum Mc Cleod and Lorraine Meighan form Portobello High School, Edinburgh scooped the Business Studies award with a marketing plan that focussed on an eco-friendly product, Energenie. Their teacher Mr Donegan said:
"This has been an invaluable experience for our pupils, they have been provided with an excellent opportunity to showcase their creativity and initiative. Our pupils are much more aware of the role of The Patent Office in encouraging innovation and now appreciate the importance of business taking a more eco-friendly and energy saving approach."
The judges were so impressed with the exceptionally high standard of entries that they decided to award a special prize for the "Best Overall Entry for Environmental Issues" to Matthew Alner and Dominic Cesary. Each student received a Dahon Folding Bike incorporating a ZorinPump®; the bikes were kindly donated by Fisher Outdoor Leisure Limited on behalf of Dahon California Limited.
If you or your school would like to be involved in the next THINK kit competition please e-mail market@patent.gov.uk
