Two students from Highbridge’s King Alfred School are among a group of 14 year-olds who have won money for their ‘green thinking’.
Teams of 14-year-olds from King Alfred School, Ansford School in Castle Cary, Heathfield Community School in Taunton, The Castle School in Taunton and Crispin School in Street entered the ‘Dragons’ Den’ to present their proposals for low carbon projects at the final of the EDF Energy Somerset Green Schools Challenge at Somerset County Cricket Club.
King Alfred School Pupils Hannah Dowell and Becky Jones were given £1,000 towards their sustainable efforts after unveiling an ambitious plan for an eco-classroom, with a green roof and low carbon energy, with two models built by students detailing the plan. The judges were impressed with their presentation skills and attention to detail in their proposals.
Crispin School was the overall winner and scooped £10,000 to spend on a low carbon project developed by students.
The judging panel of Darren Towers, EDF Energy’s Head of Sustainability, Lord Cameron of Dillington, Rupert Cox, Chairman of Somerset Chamber of Commerce and local environmentalist Julia Hailes MBE assessed each project proposal, quizzing students on their plans, before deciding which schools to award funds to from the £15,000 prize pot.
As well as presenting to the judging panel, students got a tour of the ground and club museum and were entertained with science workshops from Future 4 Science.
Robyn Broughton, EDF Energy’s schools programme manager, said: “The EDF Energy Somerset Green Schools Challenge is an educational experience, through which young people learn more about climate change, the environment and the sustainable use of energy, as they create and design a proposal for a local carbon reduction project.”
“We’re delighted with how schools responded and hope their successes can inspire them and others as they continue their sustainable journeys.”
