School children participate in The Next Big Thing Challenge at Siemens offices in Frimley

Pupils had 3 months to come up with solutions to a variety of high level challenges faced in the healthcare environment and UK market. The challenge encourages Key Stage 4 students to find out more about the world of engineering and technology. It develops skills in idea development, planning and problem solving and exposes students to exciting career opportunities.

Siemens Healthineers inspires the next generation-Next Big Thing 1

The school children presented their prototypes to the judges on Friday, 29^th April at the Siemens offices in Frimley. The five schools that participated were, Charterhouse, Gordons, LVS Ascot, Reading Girls School and Tomlinscote School. Around 6-8 students from each school attended. The winners of the challenge were LVS Ascot.

Following the success of previous years, this is the eighth year Siemens has run the challenge with SATRO, It is designed to encourage, inspire and motivate students to make the active choice of a career in some aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics and is open to Key Stage 4 (14-16 years old) students.

Teams were provided with a brief to look into Healthcare, with an aim to develop ‘The Next Big Thing’ on the topic. The students were asked to produce a prototype or scale model to demonstrate the idea and provide evidence of market research and a basic understanding of their market needs. Siemens employees were allocated to each team to act as mentors and visited the schools to support and give direction to the students.

The entries included an app that allows you to check your health instantly, to a device that monitors your brain activity and gives an early warning to epilepsy patients. The students came up with some great ideas on how to improve healthcare. Students also had some time to explore some of our Siemens Healthineers technology, from dazzling students with phantom babies, virtual colonoscopies and the mystical world of laboratory diagnostics.

The winning team, LVS Ascot, proposed a device that would help alleviate bed sores and reduce strain on caregivers. Their solution was very well researched with a lot of thought gone into the usability of their product. The Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Joanne Potter and Councillor Paul Deach, of Surrey Heath Borough Council attended to present the winners with a trophy. Also present were Pauline Hedges, Amalee Gamache and Dr Beccy Bowden from SATRO.

Siemens Healthineers has a long history of developing innovative technology and is pleased to be contributing to an activity, which demonstrates Siemens' commitment to enthuse young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Peter Harrison, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers UK said:

Working with local organisation SATRO, this programme enables us to operate a broad, inclusive and effective method for encouraging pupils to understand the link between Science, Technology and Maths (STEM) skills at work.

SATRO is an education charity which inspires and involves young people aged 5 – 19 across the region about the world of work and business through a broad range of hands-on programmes and challenges delivered in schools and colleges. Last year saw 15,000 young people participate, and SATRO continues to respond to the demand.