Born Free and British International Education Association (BIEA) launch this year’s competition.
Born Free and BIEA have announced details of this year’s exciting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) youth competition to design a drone to help protect wild and endangered species.
Created by BIEA, the STEM Youth Innovation Competition is open to students under the age of 18. Due to the tremendous response of entries received from across the UK in 2018, this year the competition is inviting submissions from across the world.
In the first instance school teams must research, design and write a report about a drone that could be used to help conserve vulnerable animals. Entries must be submitted by 31st March. Entrants will also be working towards a silver CREST award with their submission.
Finalists will be announced on 23rd April when a budget from the BIEA will be allocated for competitors to buy, modify, and fly small drones that replicate their entry. A video of the drone in flight, along with a presentation video, must then be made and submitted.
The live finals will be held in London on 4th July where entrants will display their project to their peers and a panel of judges. Schools unable to attend in person will still have the chance to win awards. While the overall winner will scoop £5,000.
The competition is free to enter, and all students must be in teams of between three and five individuals from their school supported by teacher.
Laura Gosset, Head of Education at Born Free, said:
“Wildlife is coming under increasing threat from human actions so Born Free is thrilled to be partnering with BIEA on this competition. It’s a chance to help the next generation understand the real-world application of STEM skills. How we can effectively use technology to protect and monitor wildlife populations could be the difference between extinction and survival for some of the world’s most threatened species.”
