The British International Education Association (BIEA) is calling for schools across the UK to take part in its annual International STEM Youth Innovation Competition. The competition, which is free to enter, challenges students under the age of 18 from all over the world to design and develop a drone to help protect endangered wild animals.
Supported by the British Science Association and the Royal Institution, the competition aims to raise the level of technological enthusiasm among students and to stimulate their passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects.
BIEA will accept submissions until 31st March 2019. In April, 36 international finalists will be announced, and each team will receive £100 funding from BIEA to buy and modify a mini drone. The winning team will be announced at the RAF Museum in London on 4th July, taking home the £5,000 grand prize.
This challenge builds on BIEA’s previous competition, which saw more than 2,000 schools from across the UK entering. That edition, which challenged participants to create a drone for rescue situations, was only open to British students.
The challenge… involves several disciplines including mechanics, electronics, computer programming and flight dynamics, and the ‘Fighting Extinction’ theme draws on multiple fields of science.
– Philip White, Head of Communications, BIEA
Philip White, Head of Communications at BIEA, explained the importance of the competition: “BIEA’s focus is to improve global education standards and we believe that one of the best ways to do this is by supporting the development of STEM subjects in schools. Highlighting the importance of scientific and technological innovation to young people helps to develop a constant motivation to create the source of a better future.”
“We decided on the challenge of designing a drone as it really requires students to push the boundaries of their technological and scientific knowledge: it involves several disciplines including mechanics, electronics, computer programming and flight dynamics, and the ‘Fighting Extinction’ theme draws on multiple fields of science.”
“The competition is designed to give young people around the world a stage on which to learn, communicate, and improve scientific innovation – it’s a chance for them to acquire knowledge and fulfil their dreams. We’d love as many schools as possible to join in! We’re very excited to see what they come up with!”
To find out more about the International STEM Youth Innovation Competition or to sign up please visit www.bieacompetition.org.uk or follow us on Twitter at @BIEAeducation