Going Green!

Students in Year 7 at Cleethorpes Academy took part in the Air Products Hydrogen Challenge with The Inspirational Learning Group.

The entire year group was divided into teams of 6 and were set tasks throughout the day to compete for a chance to take their project to the National Event this summer.

Read more about the challenge here: The National Careers Challenge | The Inspirational Learning Group

Firstly, they were asked to choose a local company and list the types of vehicles that they used for their business. A common theme with the students was the local community, choosing business like local fish and chip shops and seaside attractions.

They were asked to identify the sustainability of their companies and identify something that they believed they could change to make the energy use greener for their company. The teams were instructed to convert their company from a fuel using vehicle base, to hydrogen and create a campaign to go alongside their idea, showcasing their greener ideas.

Leading the tasks for the day was Caroline from The Inspirational Learning Group. She said: “We have thousands of schools taking part and the finals event is something really special. We often have special guests such as TikTok and Britain’s Got Talent stars entertaining and visits from the likes of Sir Alan Sugar and Dragons’ Den investors.”

Year 8 students were also invited to a Careers Talk with Ben from The Inspirational Learning Group. He advised them on STEM skills needed for the future and how employment gaps in the renewable industry were the perfect opportunity for their age groups to look towards.

The students were asked to identify the top careers that they think will be around in the future which included answers like robot technicians, games designers, renewable energy technicians and social media influencers. They were also asked to discuss interview skills that are needed for their future careers. Their quick answers detailing confidence, communication skills, punctuality and attendance showed that the Academy Career Programme is having a positive effect on the students.

Ben said: “I am super impressed with the Year 8s answers. The students at Cleethorpes Academy have really shone through with their thinking and confidence.

At the end of the day’s challenges for our Year 7s, the teams were asked to present their projects to a panel of judges. The day had been spent brainstorming ideas as a group and creating mascots, slogans, advertisements, leaflets and more. They were required to work out the environmental impact before and after their greener changes were made and work out an estimated saving on cost and energy.

Caroline added: “The winning is not just based on their presentation skills alone, they have to show good behaviour, the ability to work well as a team and confidence when completing the challenges.”

Ten of the top teams presented their ideas to the judging panel, with the opportunity for two of them to continue their project development and go to the National Careers Challenge Final in July.

Our runner up team was Coastal Go Green, who based their project on a local silver jewellery making business, Coastal Silver. They converted their usual blue logo to green and incorporated their findings about hydrogen as a fuel and energy source.

The winning team was Green Grimsby, who went above and beyond with their project based on Hardys Fish and Chips. They created a mascot, an artist’s impression of their social media campaign and even invented a campaign advertisement along with a song about going green.

Caroline commented: “This group of Year 7s are without a doubt one of the strongest we’ve ever come across doing this project. The staff and students should all be very proud and I know that if they carry on with what they’re doing, they will all have brilliant futures and careers. They really have come up with some of the best adverts and company conversions we’ve ever seen.”

Vice Principal Paul Kaylow said: “The students have had a great day with this project and I’m very proud to have heard nothing but praise from the team and the staff who supported them during the day.

We will follow our winners and runners up closely and will look forward to seeing their projects develop further for the finals in July. We thank the team for organisation such a packed and challenging day, which has proven to be very popular with our Year 7 classes.”