Rebecca Young, a 12-year-old from Kelvinside Academy in Glasgow, recently won the top prize of the MacRobert Commendation Medal. So, what was her innovative invention that won her first place out of 70,000 participants? Rebecca designed a solar blanket that could help address the homeless crisis many people are currently impacted by. After seeing so many people sleeping out on the streets, Rebecca was inspired to create something that could alleviate some of their suffering. She had been tasked with designing an invention that could help address a specific social issue. For Rebecca, tackling the pressing issue of homelessness was the obvious choice.
Rebecca’s Innovative Solar Blanket Design
For the competition, Rebecca wanted to develop a heated blanket that was integrated into a backpack and powered using solar panels. She spent hours researching existing backpack and sleeping bag designs, looking for ways to turn her concept into reality. It wasn’t easy, but her efforts paid off, earning her first place in both the UK and Scottish rounds of the competition. Thales, an engineering company, then turned Rebecca’s concept into a working prototype. The company’s engineers developed a blanket heated by copper wiring connected to flexible frames, making it portable.
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The copper wires were powered by solar panels affixed to the backpack. The prototype was then brought to Rebecca’s school, where she was able to see and hold the invention that she had conceptualized. For Rebecca, designing something that could potentially help people on the streets was an amazing experience. She added, “Unfortunately, you see so many people sleeping rough on the streets of Glasgow, and I always felt bad seeing how cold they were. It was obvious to me that this could help. It felt amazing to see my drawing turn into something real. I never thought that could happen.”
This experience has also sparked an interest in a potential career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. During the competition, her design was exhibited at institutes such as the University of Strathclyde, Barony Hall, and the University of Glasgow. This gave her a tantalizing glimpse into a world she may one day find herself. Her family and teachers are immensely proud of her achievements. Her teacher stated that it’s “so unusual to see this level of awareness and creativity at such a young age, and to apply that to a real-world issue is truly special.”
Potential For Patented Production
The engineers say they hope the prototype will still be developed further and even potentially patented for manufacture. This entire process has given Rebecca insight into how concepts become reality, potentially igniting a flame for engineering. It is exactly this type of enthusiasm and inspiration that her school, Kelvinside Academy, seeks to instill in its learners. They aim to empower students such as Rebecca to use their creative minds to make a real difference in the world. According to Rebecca’s teacher, Leigh Goldie, “Rebecca’s work highlights how young people can contribute to addressing societal challenges through innovation, inspiring others to consider how they too can make a difference.”
It’s not only her school that is encouraging kids to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The sponsors of the competition, Thales UK, are equally committed to getting more young people excited about STEM careers. After all, the future of life-changing concepts depends on the next generation of engineers. It is an exciting path that Rebecca may find herself on in the near future. Until then, however, she will continue her studies and spend her free time playing drums in her band, The Girls.
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