Students consider impact of sight loss for challenge

SECONDARY school students entering a new category of this year’s 3M Young Innovators Challenge are being asked to consider the needs of young people with sight loss.

The 3M Young Innovators Challenge was devised by the science-based technology company 3M and has been run in partnership with the Loughborough Echo every year since 2013.

This year, 3M has also teamed up with the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) College in Loughborough for the Eco Tech Challenge for secondary schools – one of six categories in the competition – which is aligned with the design & technology curriculum.

Using only recycled or sustainable materials, students have been asked to design and construct either a sensory toy, a product to make a sports activity more accessible, or a device to make performing an everyday task easier for a blind or partially sighted young person aged under 18 years.

The challenge is open to Leicestershire and South Nottinghamshire schools, academies, private schools and home-educated children within the circulation area of the Loughborough Echo.

June Murray, principal of the RNIB College, is a judge for the Eco Tech competition. She said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the 3M Young Innovators Challenge.

“The Eco Tech Challenge is a great way of raising awareness of the challenges faced by young people with vision impairment and I’m looking forward to seeing the creative solutions the teams find to make everyday activities more accessible and inclusive.”

Also judging the competition will be Corinne Walkley, a former design and technology teacher who is now principal moderator for GCSE design and technology: graphics, as well as a lead setter of assessment materials and a senior examiner and team leader for the written examination.

The closing date for entries is Friday, March 23, with the judging taking place on Thursday, 19 April 2018. The winning team will be presented with £750 worth of design and technology equipment for their school, as well as prizes and certificates for themselves. 3M will also be funding their entry into the British Science Association’s CREST Award scheme to give the students the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised accreditation.

Full details of how to enter the 3M Young Innovators Challenge can be found at www.3M.co.uk/younginnovators.