Pupils compete to design future-fit town to tackle energy challenges

The annual National Careers Challenge saw thousands of Year 7 students, aged 11-12, from schools across the United Kingdom designing a sustainable ‘Town of the Future,’ rethinking how homes are constructed, how people travel, and how communities can reduce their environmental impact.

Air Products, a world-leading industrial gases company, selected the clean energy challenge, which asked students to tackle real-world energy problems, applying STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) knowledge to practical, real-world scenarios.

The winning team from each school competed in the Grand Final on 2 July at the Telford International Centre, presenting their ideas to industry judges, networking with leading employers to build valuable connections and celebrating their creativity on a national stage.

Walton Priory Middle School successfully impressed the industry judges with their SnugVille project and brought home the trophy.

Wayne Parke, teacher at Walton Priory Middle School said, “It’s been brilliant to see our students realise that what they learn in the classroom can be used to tackle real-world challenges. This competition has given them the chance to think creatively, work as a team, and present their ideas with real confidence. Watching their excitement grow throughout the process, and watching them dig deep, has been hugely rewarding, and we hope it encourages them to keep aiming high in class and beyond.”

Supporting The National Careers Challenge is part of Air Products’ work to connect real industry challenges with education. The Year 7 competition is designed to spark curiosity amongst young people, which is ever more critical, given the shortage of STEM skills in the UK workforce.

Community and STEM Ambassador at Air Products, Lynn Willacy said, “Designing a sustainable town sounds straightforward until you start thinking about how everything connects. That’s exactly what this challenge highlighted. Industrial gases play a critical role in decarbonising industry and transport, and it was great to see students beginning to think about how these systems work together in practice.”