Posted on / in 'If you were an engineer' Competition

Primary Engineer celebrates young problem-solvers from across Devon and Cornwall

Pupils from across Devon and Cornwall were celebrated at the Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, on 30 June as Primary Engineer brought together schools, families and engineering professionals for a regional exhibition and awards ceremony recognising young people’s creativity, curiosity and problem-solving skills. 

The pupils had taken part in the UK-wide “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” competition, run by educational not-for-profit Primary Engineer. The fully funded competition invites pupils aged 3 to 19 to interview an engineer, identify a real-world problem and create an annotated design for an invention that could help solve it. 

Every entry is read and graded by engineering professionals, with each participating pupil receiving a personalised certificate. Shortlisted designs are then reviewed by judging panels made up of leading industry and engineering professionals, who select the pupils to be recognised at regional award ceremonies across the UK. 

At the Devon and Cornwall event, shortlisted designs were displayed for visitors to explore before Highly Commended pupils and winners were invited on stage to receive trophies and framed certificates. In total, 31 pupils from schools and home-educated groups across the region were celebrated for their imaginative engineering ideas. 

Reception 

  • Highly Commended, Magna Watch Strap by Caolan B, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Highly Commended, Swimming Helper by Elaya A, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Winner, The Sock Maker by Finn W, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Winner, Wheelchair Table by Ella A, Nanstallon Community Primary School 

Year 1 

  • Highly Commended, Underwater Fish Diver Suit by Sebastian M, Nanstallon Community Primary School 
  • Highly Commended, Hugging Robot by Oriana C, Nanstallon Community Primary School 
  • Winner, Betty’s Blending Buddy by Betty S, Tavistock Primary & Nursery School 
  • Winner, Allergy Cutlery by Flora M, Nanstallon Community Primary School 

Year 2 

  • Highly Commended, Automatic Oven by Bobby W, Nanstallon Community Primary School 
  • Highly Commended, The Time Transmitter by Lucy C, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Winner, The Lego Sorter by Alfie E, Stoke Climsland School 
  • Winner, Leonardo Da Pinci by Emily S, Tavistock Primary & Nursery School 

Year 3 

  • Highly Commended, The Helper Hoody by Amelia E, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Highly Commended, Fire Swiper by Rosa O, Calstock Community Primary School 
  • Winner, Binexpress by Rosie P, Nanstallon Community Primary School 
  • Winner, The Habtat by Archie M, Nanstallon Community Primary School 

Year 4 

  • Highly Commended, Robot Rubbish 3000 by Beatrix C, Nanstallon Community Primary School 
  • Highly Commended, Up-Down Wheelchair by Isabella J, Stoke Climsland School 
  • Winner, Party Chair by Amelie T, Nanstallon Community Primary School 
  • Winner, Colour Fabric Sorter by Ellie B, Abbey School 

Year 5 

  • Highly Commended, The Rocket Bottle by Evie O, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Highly Commended, Windscreen Protector 2000 by Donnie G, Abbey School 
  • Winner, The Hearing Glasses by Sonny E, Tavistock Primary & Nursery School 
  • Winner, 3,2,1 Safety Guards by Skye L, Nanstallon Community Primary School 

Year 6 

  • Highly Commended, Air-water-plant, by Honor P, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Highly Commended, Easy Reader by Raya L Shepard Cohen, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Winner, Blind Glasses by Joshua L, St Agnes ACE Academy 
  • Winner, Auto-umbrella Washing Line by Grace J, Carbeile Junior School 

Year 8 

  • Winner, Sky Fill by Jacob R, Home Educated 

Year 10 

  • Winner, Teacher Pen by Tristan, Hayle Academy 

Year 11 

  • Winner, Navicane by Vikhat R, Devonport High School for Boys 

Congratulations to all the pupils recognised at the Devon and Cornwall ceremony, including Sonny from Tavistock Primary & Nursery School, whose idea “The Hearing Glasses” received the special Judges’ Award. 

Primary Engineer thanks its national and regional partners for fully funding the competition and helping bring engineering into classrooms across Devon and Cornwall. 

Relive the event highlights by viewing the full photo album on Facebook: Primary Engineer | Facebook

The 2026/27 competition is now open. Teachers can register for full competition access and resources here: https://leadersaward.com/resource-area-registration/ 

Primary Engineer Public Exhibitions and Award Ceremonies continue across the UK throughout July, showcasing thousands of pupil-led engineering ideas. Find out more: https://leadersaward.com/exhibitions-and-events/