To coincide with the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) held in Glasgow in November last year and the launch of the 175th anniversary year for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), The Midland Region of the IMechE, together with the Centre for Factories of the Future (C4FF), organised an air quality / climate change competition for secondary schools.
Pupils were asked to study a highly technical, abridged 16 page report on air pollution and to answer a series of questions. They were then required to compose a 500 word essay on “ how you / your family can make changes to your lifestyle and/or other actions which will result in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Two winning entries were chosen – Anisa Tasnim Begum (14) from King Edward VI Five Ways School in Birmingham and Miriam Clements (16) from Rugby High School. Both pupils win £250 plus a framed certificate and their schools also receive £250 to be spent on STEM activities.