Local MP visits student finalists in national STEM competition

Stamford High School has welcomed Gareth Davies, the Member of Parliament for Grantham and Stamford, to the school to visit a group of students who have been named as finalists as part of a national STEM competition.Over 2,000 students participated in the Youth Industrial Strategy Competition, a national STEM competition organised by the British Science Association. The competition challenges students to submit practical projects that address one of the UK Government’s four Grand Challenges: Clean Growth, Artificial Intelligence and Data, Ageing Society and the Future of Mobility. Students from the school have since been selected as finalists and  were due to compete at the Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair from 11-14 March in Birmingham for a chance to win first place. The fair has unfortunately been cancelled and the final is due to be rescheduled for later in the year.Gareth Davies, MP, visited the school and spoke with the students, learning about how their project works and how it addresses the Grand Challenge of Artificial Intelligence and Data. Sophie Farr, Anna Barsham, Olga Kryl, Ruby Summer and Millie Hindmarch; Year 9 students from Stamford High School designed a project that uses artificial intelligence to assist the visually impaired. The students conducted a survey, used an Instagram account and developed an experiment considering the ease of movement of those who are visually impaired.The students involved have recently participated in 'Super Physics 2020'. where they received a third place position (read more here). Following this they were invited to attend the 'Marie Curious' STEM event for girls (read more here).Gareth Davies, MP for Grantham and Stamford, said: “I have been thoroughly impressed with the project that students at the school developed. Through creating a project that makes use of artificial intelligence to assist visually impaired people, the students have shown their creativity in designing solutions to real-world problems. I wish them the best of luck at the finals.” A national competition, this initiative, developed in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, asked secondary students aged 11-19 to find creative solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing modern society.The students from Stamford High School were due to present their ideas to a panel of industry experts and celebrity judges, including Konnie Huq, former Blue Peter presenter, with first place winners in their age category, Junior, Intermediate or Senior, taking home cash prizes for themselves and their school. The finals are currently postponed due to cancellation of the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham, but will take place later in the year.Tanvir Panesar, Head of Careers at Stamford High School said: “As a school, we are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Youth Industrial Strategy Competition. Through their project, our students have thoroughly enjoyed finding new, creative ways to learn about STEM.”Caitlin Brown, Project Manager for the Youth Industrial Strategy Competition, said: “We have been blown away by the creativity of the entrants and how they have engaged with the Grand Challenges. The range, breadth and technicality of the projects has been incredibly inspiring and exceeded our expectations. “We are really looking forward to seeing the finalists present their projects at the Big Bang Fair in March and bringing their ideas for the future to life.”Following the finals, winners will be announced for each age category as well as the highly commended runners up.Click here to read more news from the Stamford High School.