TV presenter Rachel Riley recently launched Astellas Innovation Challenge, which is a competition aimed at inspiring school students to take up STEM subjects, and pupils at King James in Bishop Auckland have already taken part in the project.
Only 37% of students aged 11 – 16 years think they would be likely to take up STEM subjects in higher education at university and beyond, despite 83% claiming they are interested in these subjects at school. Studying STEM subjects, (Science, Technology, and Engineering & Mathematics) can open up so many doors for young people and lead to promising careers in a diverse range of fields, such as computing, health and even broadcasting.
The Astellas Innovation Challenge is asking the next generation of would-be entrepreneurs and innovators to design a mobile app that encourages healthy living.
Recent research revealed that technology is an intrinsic part of school students’ everyday lives, with 87% of 11 to 16 year-old having a mobile/smartphone and more than three quarters (77%) confirmed they use apps at least once a day.
Furthermore, school student’s appetite for apps is reaching a record high, with over two thirds (70%) having 11 or more apps on their mobile devices.
The nationwide competition is for pupils who are in Years 10 & 11 with the closing date for entry being Friday 24th October.
The final will be hosted in London on Tuesday 25th November.
For more information on the competition including how to enter go to www.astellas.eu/innovation-challenge.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
