Talented students get on board with Poole Maritime Festival

Students from five schools across Dorset got creative in a challenge to reduce the amount of plastic in the seas and oceans. The students were also tasked with considering their own plastic usage and making a pledge to reduce this.

The maritime-themed challenge was held on Monday 4 June at Poole Harbour Commissioners, who also provided a tour of the port. The 12-13 year old students were split into 10 teams to work on their ideas and were mentored by local businesses and organisations.

These included Wärtsilä, Atlas Elektronik UK, LUSH, Actisense, Barclays Eagle Labs, Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster, Tower Park, Young Chamber in Dorset, Bournemouth University and Bournemouth and Poole College. They then presented their finished designs to a panel of judges that included the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Sean Gabriel, economic development manager Adrian Trevett, Poole Harbour Commissioners’ Dave Laut, Poole town centre manager Hannah Porter and Young Enterprise’s Hannah Cook.

Mayor of Poole, Cllr Sean Gabriel, said, “I was really impressed by the students; their passion and enthusiasm was fantastic. The skills and experience they have learnt today stands them in good stead for the future. I was very proud to be part of this STEM event.”

The day was attended by two local MPs – Michael Tomlinson MP and Sir Robert Syms MP, which reflects how highly STEM skills are regarded. Michael Tomlinson MP opened the event and spoke about the All Party Parliamentary Group for Youth Employment and the importance of STEM skills.

Students were judged not only on their solution but on the core employability skills demonstrated throughout the day, such as team work, innovation, problem solving, communication and resilience.

The winning team ‘Just In Case’ from Poole High School created a company that turned recycled bottles into phone cases.

Along with 3D trophies from Barclays Eagle Labs, the winners were rewarded with a water sports voucher, kindly donated by Rockley Watersports. The runners up also won products from LUSH.

The event organised by Borough of Poole and Young Enterprise kick-started a special programme of business events created to launch Poole Maritime Festival 2018.

Debbie Porter from the winning school said, “Poole High School is very keen to promote STEM subjects as part of preparing students for successful futures. It was an amazing experience for our students, who all really enjoyed the event. We look forward to attending similar events in the future.”

The other schools that participated in the challenge were: The Grange School, St Aldhelms, St Edwards and Purbeck School