A school in Marlow has been nominated for a national prize.
Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School is shortlisted to win Nesta Challenges’ Longitude Explorer Prize People’s Choice Award, where they are one of 39 schools up for the prize.
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The competition looks at students across the country who develop tech solutions to help solve some of the challenges that the country face, with Borlase being recognized for their hard work over the last 12 months.
Students at the school have worked tirelessly on their WasterWatcher programme, which is aimed to tackle waste issues across the town and beyond.
Science minister Amanda Solloway said: “I have been impressed by the ingenuity, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit shown by the Longitude finalists – their bright ideas could make a real difference to all our lives, whether that’s robots to clean our oceans or new video technology connecting people who are isolating to tackle loneliness.
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“I encourage everyone to vote in the People’s Choice Award and I look forward to seeing who is named the winner next month.”
Since September, teams of students aged 11-16 have been creating and developing technological solutions to try and solve ongoing issues across world.
Innovations in the running include robots that clean the ocean and devices to help young people take part in lessons remotely, to tech that helps isolated people connect with others and apps to help people lead healthier lives.
The winners of the new People’s Choice Award will receive £5,000 for their school or youth group.
In addition to the public vote, the teams will be submitting their final ideas to the Longitude Explorer Prize judging panel which will meet virtually in July.
The grand prize winners will earn £25,000 for their school or youth group and three runner-up teams earning £10,000.
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Tris Dyson, executive director, Nesta Challenges said: “I’m very pleased to announce the new People’s Choice Award, the first time the public has been able to vote for a challenge prize winner. The Longitude Explorer Prize encourages young people, no matter their background, gender, or heritage to grow their great ideas into real world solutions. We live in extraordinary times and we need game-changing solutions to help us live healthier, longer lives in an equal, greener, smarter world.
The finalists are talented young entrepreneurs who have overcome the obstacles of lockdown and social distancing, to develop bright ideas that can make a real difference to the world around us.”
To vote, visit www.longitudeexplorer.challenges.org and click 'WasteWatcher'.
The vote will close on Friday, July 3.
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