Hillingdon students go head-to-head to develop sustainable products
Local students from Uxbridge High School, Swakeleys School for Girls, and Oak Wood School have gone head-to-head as part of a competitive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programme to develop sustainable futureproof solutions, which may reduce the environmental footprint of personal care and over the counter products.
Teams previously competed at their own schools, with the winning groups securing a place in the all-borough final at Brunel University. The final saw all groups present their solutions, considering key areas across the entire product lifecycle such as ingredients, production, and distribution.
The winning team, ‘Listergreen’ from Swakeleys School for Girls, came in first place for their engaging presentation which put forward accessible and environmentally friendly mouthwash packaging. Their suggestions for an updated product included natural algae-based colouring and etched rather than printed product information, including a version in braille.
The Sustainable London challenge, run by award-winning charity Motivez, brings together students all over London to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and ultimately spark solutions to address the biggest challenges facing the world. Motivez have supported over 13,000 young people aged 14 to 25 from underrepresented backgrounds through wider employability and advocacy programmes across the UK. In addition to boosting local students’ early interest in STEM careers, the Sustainable London programme also creates meaningful opportunities to meet and network with employers in this field.
Hillingdon’s qualifying rounds and next week’s regional final are supported by a local business, Kenvue, the makers of many personal care and over the counter products such as CALPOL®, LISTERINE®, NEUTROGENA®, and AVEENO®.
As part of these rounds, Kenvue mentors have worked closely with each group as they developed their ideas and presented them to a panel of judges from the company.
George Imafidon MBE, CEO, Motivez, said: "Kenvue’s support of the flagship Sustainable London programme is a bold commitment to driving local change and equity in STEM. By working together, we are inspiring over 600 Year 10 students in the borough of Hillingdon, building on the success of our previous renditions. The creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurial thinking shown by these students, with guidance from Kenvue mentors, demonstrates the power of opportunity and collaboration. These students are not just talking about more sustainable consumer health solutions; they are designing them. Together, we are laying the foundation for an empowered STEM workforce that truly reflects the society it serves.”
Kate Stockman, Vice President Regulatory Affairs EMEA, Kenvue, said: “It’s been amazing to see all the innovative ideas coming out of Hillingdon schools over the past months, as students apply themselves to real-world sustainability challenges. At Kenvue we’re guided by our Healthy Lives Mission in all our work, which is ultimately about empowering people with the tools to make healthier choices for themselves, their loved ones, and the planet. And it’s clear from what we’ve seen in Hillingdon, that we are in safe hands when it comes to next generation of our STEM workforce, who are already putting their minds to some of the world’s most pressing questions.”
The winners of the Hillingdon finals now go on to compete against successful teams from all over London including Barnet, Greenwich, Lambeth, Southwark, and Westminster on Monday 7 July.