Issue Number 52 - July 5 2016 TeenTech Awards 2016, Monday 20 June Congratulations to Millie Geddes (LVI) who was awarded Highly Commended for her innovative concept designed to help dementia sufferers at a national technology awards for teenagers founded by the former Tomorrow’s World presenter Maggie Philbin. Millie beat off tough opposition from hundreds of teenagers across the UK to win through to the national final of the TeenTech Awards 2016. The TeenTech Awards challenge youngsters aged 11-18 years old to use technology to solve real-world problems by researching current markets and gleaning advice from industry experts. The awards were set up to excite young people about the everexpanding career possibilities available in the fields of science, engineering and technology, with TeenTech events taking place across the UK throughout the year – seeing hundreds of schools benefit from hands-on exhibits and challenges. Millie’s design for an Alzheimer’s App to help sufferers manage their own needs and give them vital independence was nominated in the ‘Best Innovation’ category, winning a prestigious ‘Highly Commended’ in the final. Millie’s App works by a combination of wearable technology and sensors. Her concept and design was so strong because the technology exists to implement it but it has not necessarily been applied before. Millie travelled to the Royal Society in London for the final where she was one of 120 teenagers presenting their pioneering ideas to a team of judges made up of celebrity science presenters, journalists and eminent academics including co-founder of TeenTech Maggie Philbin, Professor Brian Cox, theoretical physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili, BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, Channel 4 News’ Geoff White, science and tech reporter Dallas Campbell, Gemma Morris from SKY, Fran Scott, CBBC Science Presenter and Jo Johnson MP. All the teenagers also had the opportunity to showcase their designs in front of the businesses and individuals who can help commercialise them and make them a reality. With National Women in Engineering day coming up just after the TeenTech Finals, TeenTech also announced more girls than boys had reached the final and that 8 of the 20 category prizes were won by teams of girls. A TeenTech spokesman said: ‘These positive female numbers clearly demonstrate that girls are just as enthusiastic as boys when it comes to developing tech ideas that will change our world. Over 800 girls across the UK participated in the Key dates for your diary competition.’ 2 July, 1pm - END OF TERM Professor Brian Cox, said: ‘I always look forward 6 September - Return of LVI & new Form III seeing what the students at TeenTech come up 7 September - Return of current girls & new Form IV with and I’m never disappointed. We are seeing 8 September - Start of new Forms I & II the next generation of scientists and engineers, 10 - 11 September - Closed weekend and it fills me with optimism.’ 23 - 25 September - Exeat ‘The Awards offer an incredible opportunity for 7 - 9 October - Exeat businesses, and academics to get a genuine 15 October - Open Morning insight into just how entrepreneurial and tech21 October - Half Term begins savvy the youngsters of today can prove to be,’ 1 November - Half Term ends said TeenTech’s founder and CEO, Maggie 26 November - St Nicholas’ Stalls Philbin. 30 November - Fellowship Carol Service 15 December - Carol Service Rushi Millns, Subject Leader ICT 15 December - END OF TERM Please see school calendar for details of other events