This year’s winners of the NFU’s national education competition, Farmvention, have been announced today, which will see them win a variety of prizes from fully funded farm visits to robotics equipment for the school.
The competition challenges primary schools children to design one of three farming related products using Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). This year the challenges were:
- Wool the wonder fabric: Design a unique clothing product using British wool
- Street food superstars: Design a healthy street food dish which celebrates a British ingredient
- Farm machine 2040: Design a farming machine for the year 2040
The Farmvention competition forms a key part of the NFU’s education programme which reconnects children with food, farming and the countryside, all while learning about core topics within the national curriculum.
The eight winning schools will be showcasing their designs at an exhibition at the House of Commons on 17 March.
NFU President Minette Batters with a winning school at last year's exhibition in Westminster.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “The launch of Farmvention last year was hugely successful and demonstrates that food and farming does have a place within children’s education.
“The enthusiasm we’ve seen from both pupils and teachers is infectious and is reflected in the incredible designs that have been submitted.
“I can’t wait to see the designs in person at the House of Commons exhibition in spring, and meet the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematics. Or better yet – the next generation of farmers.”
The winners for the Wool the wonder fabric category are:
- Reuben Wilson and Isabel, Bowmandale Primary School, East Midlands
Design: A woolly onesie for an explorer and a reflective cardigan to walk to school safely.
- Team Huggley, William Westley C of E Primary School, East Anglia
Design: A sustainable soft toy that transforms into childrens dressing gown.
- The Woolly Wonders, Settle C of E Primary, North East
Design: A waterproof woollen dog coat created from wool and recycled plastic (pictured above).
The winners for the Street food superstars category are:
- The British Sausage Roll, Selside Endowed C of E School, North West
Design: The traditional sausage roll reimagined by adding additional healthy fillings.
- Marvellous Cone of Mash, Beth Kerslake, Bowhill Primary School, South West
Design: British mashed potato in a cheese cone with a variety of toppings.
- Tregaraps, Ysgol Henry Richard, Wales
Design: Street food business selling Welsh lamb wraps to parents.
The winners for the Farm machine 2040 category are:
- Magnificent Carrot Hoover, St. Anselms School, East Midlands
Design: A carrot harvester designed to preserve the soil, powered by renewable energy.
- The Pooter, Morgan Dawson, Cheltenham College Preparatory School, South West
Design: A mobile anaerobic digester, designed for small farms.
Prizes include:
- A fully-funded farm visit for up to 35 children from the school
- Wool challenge: Design being turned into a prototype by a professional clothing designer
- Food challenge: A visit from a professional chef who will teach the whole class how to prepare, cook and plate the winning dish.
- Machines challenge: £600 of robotics equipment for the school.