Year 10 Compete in UK Space Agency ‘SatelLife2022 Challenge’ Over 100 Year 10 students took part in the SatelLife2022 Challenge today as they searched for new, innovative ways in which satellites could improve life on Earth. Promoted as a nationwide search for young space entrepreneurs, the competition is open to ages 11 – 22 and has a prize fund of up to £50,000 available to turn students’ ideas into reality. The day kickstarted with an assembly which provided a broad overview of satellites, their existing uses and the all-important judging criteria. At 10am, the students then split into teams of no more than 4, all searching for the next brainchild invention that could transform the world! Dave Pollard, our VIP visitor and judge from SpacePort Cornwall (Newquay) explained: “Today is all about demonstrating to students how satellites are used on a daily basis and how they can be used in the future for the greater good through innovation.” A Promising Track Record Penrice Academy has tasted success in previous years of the competition when, in 2020, Grace, Emmy and Maddie won a prize of £5,000 with their concept of a festival wrist band called Safely. Their idea, judged to be one of the best in the competition, was a wrist band that could be used for payments, emergency GPS locating, and drinks spike testing, helping women to feel safer in large crowds. The trio of girls were then given the opportunity to take their idea to meet the dragons (leaders in the field of satellite applications) and have opportunities such as mentoring, visits to satellite factories and legal advice to further develop their idea. Elsewhere, at one of our other CELT schools in Newquay, four teenage boys won an investment of £7,500 in 2018, concepting an app to find public toilets. The toilets could be rated by users, and the idea was particularly helpful for people who have hidden disabilities such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Results to Follow… The day finished with a series of presentations delivered by the teams of students with a judging panel consisting of visiting guest speaker Dave Pollard, Mr Round and Miss Garrod. The shortlisted entries will be announced next week so stay tuned! Miss Garrod, Science Teacher at Penrice, finished by saying: “Our students did really well today. They came up with some really imaginative, innovative ideas and solutions to everyday problems. We’re really proud of the work they have put in and we look forward to sharing the shortlisted competition entries next week.”