Teentech Winners Visit Buckingham Palace

Glan-y-Môr pupils Charlie Hall, Lewis Ellar and Bradley Webb were treated like royalty last week when they were invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace with HRH The Duke of York. The invite came following their success at the National Teen Tech Awards back in the summer where they won the Transport Category with their innovative idea for a sensor guidance system for wheelchairs.  The pupils met with Prince Andrew and explained to him how their idea worked. It was a very exciting day which the boys will remember for a long time, but when asked what the highlights of the day were; amongst meeting HRH Duke of York, they also enjoyed the “queen’s biscuits and squash” they were treated to, as well as “using the Queen’s toilet!”

The boys are used to meeting “important people” following their outstanding success at the Teen Tech Awards; recently they have met with Edwina Hart Welsh Government Minister for Science and Economy and Julie James, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, who were both very impressed with their work.

The work produced by the pupils is part of a major drive at Ysgol Glan-y-Môr to promote STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and the prize money won at the Awards is going to be used to help equip a new STEM lab at the school.

“Every year we are completely astounded by the quality of entries coming through the awards, and this year has not disappointed. The Awards are without fail the most special day in the TeenTech calendar, and an amazing opportunity for businesses, academics and celebrities to get a genuine insight into just what is going on in classrooms up and down the country.

“We know there’s a huge amount of young talent all over the UK but teenagers are not always clear about the skills they need to succeed, and events like today’s has proved that our exam system needs to embrace this creative talent and encourage even more life-changing inventions of tomorrow,” says TeenTech’s founder and CEO, Maggie Philbin.

 “By taking their ideas out of the classroom and putting them face-to-face with industry professionals, we’ve been able to change the way young people think about these subjects and helps to open their eyes to the real potential of their ideas.”

 HRH The Duke of York, KG said
“What you have achieved is remarkable. A real pleasure to see just how TeenTech has moved forward. (To the teams) Don't be frightened to continue to have ideas."

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