Scottish pupil’s invention to assist individuals with learning difficulties awarded Bronze Medal in London
Sophia, a P3 pupil at Gargieston Primary School in Kilmarnock, has recently achieved a significant feat by winning a Bronze medal at the Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal for her innovative turned into a prototype which aims to assist individuals with learning difficulties, such as ADHD or autism, in maintaining concentration during schoolwork.
Sophia’s invention, Focus Band, involves a headband equipped with features like noise cancellation, a smart camera, desk projection, and a customizable design. The idea was inspired by a classmate who faced challenges in class, aiming to eliminate distractions and enhance engagement and learning. It was initially submitted to the “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” annual STEM competition, ran by Primary Engineer, in 2024. UK School pupils from the ages of 3-19 are tasked with interviewing an engineer, before being asked to identify a problem in the world around them and coming up with a creative, engineered solution to that problem. All entries are read and graded by professional engineers, with every single pupil who takes part receiving a named and graded certificate. The competition then culminates in exciting regional public exhibitions and award ceremonies, where shortlisted designs are displayed, and the winners and highly commended are invited on stage to receive their awards.
The Glasgow team from Thales UK, one of Primary Engineer’s national partners, selected Sophie’s idea to develop into a working prototype during the 2024–2025 academic year. The Thales ProtoTeam, Team DELTER, consisting of six members, collaborated closely with Sophia throughout the development process. They engaged her in design discussions, allowing her input to shape the project’s direction. Sophia’s enthusiasm and insights were instrumental in refining the prototype, ensuring it aligned with her original vision. The finished prototype was unveiled at Primary Engineer Scotland South West regional award ceremony on 13th June 2025, then submitted to the Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal Award.
The Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal, which is now in its fourth year, acts as the forerunner to the illustrious MacRobert Award, the leading prize for engineering innovation in the UK. The Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal is designed to celebrate the achievements of the school pupils, students and young engineers who have all worked together to create innovative and world-changing prototypes based on a school pupils engineering idea.
Sophia, her family and teachers from Gargieston Primary School attended the official award ceremony for The Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal ceremony at the prestigious Drapers’ Hall in London on Monday 17th November 2025. The Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal is a collaboration between Primary Engineer and The MacRobert Trust, with support from Weir and Christopher Ward.
Earlier in the year, Nicolle, Sophia’s Mum, commented to say “It was amazing to see the spark in Sophia’s eye when she created the idea then when she found out it would be built, she was super excited. The whole journey has been brilliant, the engineers really listened to everything she said and took time to understand why she had the idea. Sophia has loved every minute of it.”
Congratulations to all the medalists, and you can find a full list of them here: Primary Engineer Award School Pupils and Engineers in London – Primary Engineer
Read more about this prototype here: https://www.primaryengineer.com/tag/thalesg2pt25/