For a second year, Equinor and the Science Museum are working together on their Young Imagineers Competition to bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) to life for children aged 7-14. The competition winner will have their design created and displayed at the Science Museum in Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery. Last year’s winner was Finlay Minter from Surrey who designed a hover wheelchair. Finlay’s idea was inspired by seeing his Nan struggle with the stairs and getting on buses, and his Aunt who uses a wheelchair.
As well as Jill Tully, Investment Manager at Equinor Energy Ventures, this year’s panel will be Steph McGovern (BBC Breakfast Presenter and former winner of ‘Young Engineer for Britain‘), Barry Fitzgerald (Research Scientist and author of “Secrets of Superhero Science”), and Lopa Patel (Digital Media Entrepreneur who sits on the Board of Trustees for the Science Museum), while the main event will be hosted by popular science presenter Dallas Campbell.
Equinor is encouraging the entrepreneurs of tomorrow to be creative and come up with something that will tackle a modern-day challenge and help make the world a better place. This year’s winner will be announced at a fun-packed day of entertainment at the Science Museum on Saturday 24th November 2018.
Jill Tully said: “Here at Equinor, we think it is so important to help inspire a new generation of STEM experts, so they can one day help create inventions that have a real positive impact on the world we live in.
“Last year we had some incredibly innovative ideas which really pushed the boundaries of technology, innovation and imagination. I am really excited to see what bright and bold ideas the children come up with this year.
“Equinor is committed to creating a secure and sustainable energy future and developing the next generation of STEM experts is essential to this. If our Young Imagineers competition inspires just one child to work in STEM, so that one day they can help society progress, we will have helped make the world a better place.”
A survey commissioned by Equinor found that only 25% of children aged 7-14 think STEM is fun, and less than 33% of children think it is creative.
Steph McGovern said: “For as far back as I can remember I have loved inventing things. From a secret alarm to stop my dad moving my stuff to the vacuum cleaners I worked on when I was an engineer at Black & Decker, I love trying to solve problems with science. So I find it really frustrating that only a third of kids think that science, technology, engineering and maths are creative subjects. That’s why I’m really chuffed to be part of Equinor and the Science Museum’s Young Imagineers Competition. It gives young people a chance to flex their creative muscles and show how much fun STEM can be. I cannot wait to see what they come up with.”
Research Scientist and superhero enthusiast, Barry Fitzgerald, said: “I am really excited to be a part of the Young Imagineers competition to this year. When I wrote my book, Secrets of Superhero Science, I wanted to inspire children to see the science in the world of superheroes. Equinor’s Young Imagineers competition will help children see how their inventions can bring super-outcomes to people and the world – all through science and technology.”
Lopa Patel from the Science Museum said: “I am passionate about children becoming more engaged with science and technology; it’s so important for future generations to be excited by the possibilities that STEM has to offer. Equinor and the Science Museum’s Young Imagineers competition is about innovation and gives a real opportunity to bring kids’ ideas to life.”
About the Young Imagineers competition
The Young Imagineers competition invites young people aged 7-14 years old to design the future, asking the question: What invention would you create to make tomorrow’s world a better place?
The ten most creative, imaginative and inspirational entries will be shortlisted. These entrants will be given the chance to further develop their invention with the help of a professional designer.
The winning design will be displayed at the Science Museum and sit alongside some of the world’s most famous inventions, objects and discoveries, where it will be seen by thousands of museum visitors every week.
The winner will be announced at a fun-packed day of entertainment at the Science Museum in central London on Saturday 24th November 2018.
Entrants have until 23:59 on Sunday 21 October 2018 submit a sketch and a maximum of 100 words explaining their invention.
To enter visit https://youngimagineers.equinor.com/