Finalists announced for The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge

Conserve2Preserve

By Rick Lyon

Six green teams from schools and colleges across the Humber have the chance to win £2,000 for their eco project and a trip to Norway after being named as finalists in The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge 2022.

A celebration event, to be held at The Waterline Summit on Monday, October 17, will see the winners of this year’s challenge crowned.

The challenge, which has backing from leading sponsors Equinor and SSE Thermal, gives students across the Humber region the chance to make a positive impact on local and wider communities and the environment. They have been invited to create inspiring solutions to harmful climate problems.

The finalists are:

• Wyke College, Conserve2Preserve – Created an app dedicated to ensuring people can receive daily sustainability tips, and track their carbon emissions in real time, while being able to see the impact on the local area.

• Malet Lambert School, LeafStyle – Created a fashion-focused app with multiple functions, including sustainable shopping, design-your-own sustainable fashion, a selling platform, and advice and information on big fashion brands.

• Ron Dearing UTC, Emma Giblin – Designed striking murals highlighting the damaging impact of climate change and rising sea levels on Hull and the Humber.

• Marshlands Primary School, Sustainability Heroes – Relaunched the school’s sustainability club. Carried out tree-planting, and integrated composting and waste-management into the day-to-day operations of the school. The team led a survey for teachers and students to find out more about their attitudes to sustainability.

• Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire, Year 9 Loyal Leaders – Developed and distributed an energy pledge, investigated methods of reducing energy consumption in school and agreed with the school’s Finance Manager to save a third on energy bills per year.

• Grimsby Institute, Ellie Daynes – Produced a television advert focused on saving energy in the household, to inspire adults to save and use less energy.

LeafStyle

Highly commended recognition was awarded to Ron Dearing UTC - Humber Turbines, and Malet Lambert School - Global Coolers.

The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge is run by Marketing Humber as part of The Waterline campaign. The Waterline campaign brings together the University of Hull with Marketing Humber and leading regional, national, and international businesses to support the region’s transition to a zero-carbon economy.

Both of the challenge’s major sponsors, Equinor and SSE Thermal, have a leading involvement in numerous low and zero carbon initiatives across the region and have contributed prizes to the initiative.

Two age category winners from these finalists will receive £2,000 to support their school or college with eco or Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts or Mathematics (STEAM) activities, with one overall winner receiving a trip to Norway with Equinor.

The six finalist teams will each receive £250 and the opportunity to be involved in a range of experiences with sponsors and judging businesses, including workshops, site visits and mentoring.

The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge was judged by representatives from Equinor, SSE Thermal, Absolutely Cultured, Associated British Ports (ABP), KCOM, Ørsted, Yorkshire Water, and Willerby. Finalist teams were invited to present their ideas to the panel and bring their projects to life.

Teams could submit entries into one of three categories - arts and creativity, people and community, and technology and innovation.

Emma Giblin

Richard Royal, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at Equinor, said: “We’ve been hugely impressed by the quality, breadth and originality of this year’s entries. It’s fantastic to see the passion that young people show for protecting, preserving and enhancing their environment and tackling the challenge of climate change.

“Many of the entries are not just hypothetical ideas but practical solutions that are already delivering real change on the ground, and it’s fantastic to see that direct impact.”

Jade Fernandez, Stakeholder Manager for SSE Thermal, said: “Innovation will be essential in reaching net zero and we’ve seen some brilliant ideas put forward in this year’s Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge. The level of passion and enthusiasm has been hugely impressive, with the finalists all putting forward ideas that can make a genuine difference. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the event this year, and look forward to seeing the winning team named at The Waterline Summit in October.”

The finalists will get the opportunity to learn about Humber-based businesses and organisations, providing an insight into what the Humber has to offer in relation to sustainable careers and skills development.

In The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge’s inaugural year, students from Ron Dearing UTC’s ‘Sustainability Crew’ claimed the 2021 crown with their carbon calculator. Their invention helped students and staff calculate their carbon savings by walking or cycling to college rather than more carbon-intensive modes of transport and was used by teachers and pupils alike.

The Sustainability Crew won £2,000 towards their project with a tree being planted for each person that has learned or taught at Ron Dearing UTC, and travelled to Glasgow for the COP26 global climate change conference in Glasgow, courtesy of sponsors SSE Thermal.

Alicia Woodward, Marketing and Communications Executive at Marketing Humber, said: “I have been so impressed by the entries received this year. The enthusiasm shown by the students, paired with such a range of brilliant and creative ideas to help combat climate change, has been inspiring. I look forward to celebrating the achievements of our finalists and winners at The Waterline Summit in October.”