Pupils to develop technology for a changing world

Students are being invited to enter a government competition to develop the apps and technology to help with the challenges of the future, such as measuring air pollution and helping everyone stay healthy as they get older.

The competition is open to 11-to-16-year-olds. The entries should look at the four areas identified in the government's Industrial strategy: becoming greener, healthy ageing, cleaning up transport and the artificial intelligence and data revolution – the 4 Grand Challenges identified in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

The extra-curricular Longitude Explorer Prize, run by NESTA Challenges, will start in September with first-round winners given the chance to work with expert mentors from industry. They will then be offered the chance to test their ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch to experts with the chance to win cash prizes of up to £10,000 prize for their school.

Entries from the previous NESTA pilot scheme include wearable technology allowing students to discreetly notify teachers when they’re experience a panic attack; a device connecting to mobile phones to measure air quality; and a badge for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which changes colour according to the wearer’s emotions.

The competition will engage young people across the UK over the next academic year, increasing the number of young people with access to innovation programmes.