Ysgol 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 royal invite came following their success at the National TeenTech Awards, where they won the Transport Category with their innovative idea for a sensor guidance system for wheelchairs, an idea they developed with the support of Steve Williams, Curriculum Leader for Digital Technology at Gower College Swansea, and students Corey Nixon, Declan Wells and Adam Edwards.
It was a very exciting day which the boys will remember for a long time but when asked what the highlights were - in addition to meeting HRH Duke of York - they also enjoyed the 'Queen’s biscuits and squash' and 'using the Queen’s toilet!.'
The boys are getting used to meeting VIPs, including Edwina Hart, Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, 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 will 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," said TeenTech’s founder and CEO, Maggie Philbin. "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 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 this have proved that our exam system needs to embrace this creative talent and encourage even more life-changing inventions of tomorrow.
“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 help to open their eyes to the real potential of their ideas.”
HRH The Duke of York also had a few words to say: “What you have achieved is remarkable...a real pleasure to see just how TeenTech has moved forward. Don't be frightened to continue to have ideas."
Thanks to Ysgol Glan-y-Môr for this press release and photo.