Pupil’s Enter The Dragon’s Den With Plans For Positive Local Green Projects
Following on from the Young Green Briton Challenge held in February, Year 7s took part in the ‘Dragon’s Den’ pitching their ideas to four dragons from local businesses and government.
We had over 60 pupils and ten teams taking part, with so much positive energy from each. They had to make a three-minute pitch to the dragons with a short Q&A after. None of the teams seemed intimidated by the dragons:
• Stuart Rogan from HML Recycling
• Jonathon Green from Orisec
• Zak Khan from Hyndburn Borough Council
• Sian Goggins from Blackburn Cathedral
And gave fantastic presentations, with all the dragon’s commenting on how well they had done. But in the end, there had to be winners, each receiving £100 seed money towards their projects, and they were:
• Solar for School – A new learning journey on plastic for the existing App.
• ZIEEF – An educational program aimed at Primary Schools
• JEF Jeans – Reusing Jeans
• Team Green – Bamboo Straws
• The Evergreen Project – Paper recycling and seed distribution
Dragon, Zak Khan, had this to say after the event;
”Hugely impressed with all the teams that part in the challenge. It was easy for us as panelist’s to forget that they are in Year 7 - fantastic presentations and entrepreneurial spirit. I’m expecting big things!”
Each group can carry on with their project until June, when each school is invited to select the best groups. Some of the winning pupils from team Solar for School had this to say about the experience;
Sophia “I learnt a lot about the history behind plastic, its uses and production.”
Holly “I learnt that if you put in the effort anything is possible!”
Isabella “I learnt that if you are nervous, you can overcome it by putting in the time and practicing, like I did.”
Mrs Litherland who organised both events said;
“Seeing the pupils working beyond the curriculum to make their ideas a reality inspires adults to continue making the change. They have some very viable ideas with the potential to go on to successful businesses. We hope we are inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to invest in our town using sustainable and ethical ideas.”
The overall winner will win a huge £1000 for school and the chance to visit the House of Lords.
The Young Green Briton Challenge is an initiative of the Green Britain Foundation, established by Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity. The charity focuses on Dale’s vision for a Green Britain, tackling the three areas of life that make up 80% of everybody’s personal carbon footprint: Energy, Transport, Food, as well as the need to make room for nature.
The Young Green Briton Challenge brings together the experience of a variety of organisations including the Ministry of Eco Education, Social Innovation for All, Volunteers for Future and I Have a Voice.
The Ministry of Eco Education weaves together the best free resources to support schools to embed sustainability across every subject for every pupil. The Ministry of Eco Education recently released their 1st Year Impact Report which evidenced how their approach increases nature connection, teacher confidence and sense of hope as well as wider community action.