Dream Designs

PUPILS aged eight to thirteen are in the running to win thousands of pounds as part of a major national design competition.

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys is entering 'The Dream Lab: a search for young inventors’, which is looking for Britain’s next design superstars.

The Dream Lab is fronted by two famous faces, Trevor Baylis OBE and Ortis Deley – presenter of The Gadget Show. The competition is giving young people the chance to get their thinking caps on and design a sleep-related gadget or product. The child that comes up with the best design will bag £20,000 for their school and £10,000 for themselves, so the school is really hoping for a winning entry.

Mr Fraser Heywood, maths teacher at the school said “The Dream Lab competition has really inspired the students. They’ve had loads of fun coming up with their gadgets in class and I’ve been incredibly impressed by the standard of their designs.”

“As the competition’s open throughout summer, it’d make a great holiday project. We’re confident that we can make it to the competition finals”.

The closing date for entries is 30 September 2011 and the competition is open now and throughout the summer holidays.

Trevor In WorkshopTrevor Baylis OBE, inventor of the wind-up radio said “I’m really excited to be involved with this competition. With the Government’s ‘innovation nation’ strategy aiming to boost the economy, it’s clear that Britain’s future lies in design and technology.

“Many children who struggle with traditional academic subjects in school find real inspiration in invention, which is why it’s so important that young adults are encouraged to explore the world of innovation from an early age. The Dream Lab gives them the opportunity to do this.”

The competition, which is being run in conjunction with secondary schools throughout the UK, will be judged by Trevor Baylis and Ortis Deley. The Dream finalists will receive feedback about their inventions and the overall winner will be personally presented with the prize at their school in November.

The campaign to find Britain’s brightest young design star is sponsored by Sound Asleep, who create audio gadgets, such as the Sound Asleep pillow.

For more information, see www.thedreamlab.co.uk or www.soundasleeppillow.co.uk