A group of Year 7 pupils from Oakfield Academy’s STEM club has been selected to represent the UK and Ireland in the TCS Go Innovate Together (GoIT) Global Innovator of the Year Competition 2024/25.
The pupils will showcase their new app idea, ‘Somershare,’ which connects teachers and other professionals who work in Frome but live outside the town, enabling them to carshare into work.
The students carried out market research, created a website and a basic app and filmed a five-minute advert to showcase the app which aims to improve sustainability in Somerset through car sharing.
They will now be judged against schools and individuals from America, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
Science teacher at Oakfield Academy Curtis Shaddick said, “The submitted entries are judged by a panel and the winning teams win mentorship opportunities, speaking engagements, support developing their concept, medals and trophies and global recognition for their design.”
The competition encourages young innovators from across Somerset to create a solution to improve sustainability in transport in their local area. Students aged 6 to 17 years in each of TCS’ eight global geographies are invited to submit their ideas for digital innovations that can make the world a ‘better place.’
“I entered the team consisting of Mila Peet, Sofia Peet, Annabeth Apps, Tyler Amphlett and Charlie Tolcher-Jones back in May last year, when they were then in Year 6, into the Somerscience GoIT Steps into STEM competition. I had previously entered a team into the inaugural 2023 competition, which we came second in,” explained Curtis.
“This year, the students’ idea of Somershare was selected as one of the top digital innovations and innovators from all 42 participating countries from eight geographic regions.
“This is such a phenomenal achievement by the students, who are thrilled and excited to take part in the competition.”
One of the students, Mila, said, “This is a dream come true to compete in, and possibly win a global STEM competition.”
