Climbing the inspiration ladder! Pupil sees her engineering idea turned into a prototype by Anglia Ruskin University
Poppy submitted her engineering idea to Primary Engineer’s annual UK STEM competition which asks pupils aged 3 –19 the question “If you were an engineer, what would you do?”.
She was recognised as one of the winners in her year group at the East England award ceremony, one of 25 regional UK events, in 2024.
Her creation is a Moving Bunkbed featuring a button to adjust the height of the top bed making it easier to tidy and make the bed.
Each year Industry and University partners of Primary Engineer choose a pupil’s idea to build into a Prototype and to be revealed a year later at the regional awards ceremony.
Anglia Ruskin University selected Poppy’s idea to bring to life during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Mark Tree, Interim Head of School of Engineering and the Built Environment at Anglia Ruskin University said “Poppy was concerned that her parents had problems in making and tidying her bunkbed. To make it easier she invented a bunkbed where the top bunk could be lowered which meant that it was easy to make and then could be raised up again. The technical staff within the School of Engineering and the Built Environment at Anglia Ruskin University works alongside an undergraduate student to realise Poppy’s vision. A traditional bunkbed was adapted to include motors at the head and foot of the bed which would raise and lower the upper bunk using remote control. Safety measures obviously had to be put in place to prevent the bank being lowered onto a person below! The bed was unveiled by Poppy and staff at Anglia Ruskin University. Poppy was delighted with the result and was presented with a pair of Anglia Ruskin pillowcases by Mark Tree the Head of School to make up for the fact she wasn’t able to take the bed home with her!”
The finished prototype was officially unveiled on 26th June at the East England regional award ceremony hosted at Anglia Ruskin University.
“If you were an Engineer, what would you do” is an annual, national competition free to enter for all 3-19 school pupils. Entries are open now for 2025-2026 and schools can register now at www.leadersaward.com
Primary Engineer Public Exhibitions and Award Ceremonies continue all over the UK through to July, with a total of 18 prototypes being unveiled. Read more about the prototypes: https://leadersaward.com/prototeams/
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Editors Notes:
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About Primary Engineer:
Primary Engineer®, since 2005, have developed an engineering curriculum that spans Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Further Education institutions. Its core aims include; the development of children and young people through engagement with engineering, the promotion of engineering careers through inspiring programmes and competitions, the development of engineering skills for teachers and practitioners addressing the inequalities in engineering.
We developed a project-based learning approach to education which enables children and pupils to engage with practical math’s and science alongside creative problem solving and literacy. It has been described as STEM by Stealth® due to the integrated curriculum nature of the programmes which also develop resilience and curiosity.
Strong links to engineers and the industries they work in provides an opportunity for both pupils and teachers to expand their knowledge of careers, career paths and opportunities.