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

Young problem-solvers honoured at Isle of Man engineering celebration

For May to July, we’ve been travelling around the UK celebrating pupils across 25 regional awards. These events are the highlight of our “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” Leaders Award competition, bringing together pupils, teachers, families, and industry to celebrate innovation and creativity.

We concluded our final event at the University College Isle of Man on 8th July, as pupils from across Isle of Man gathered for Primary Engineer’s regional exhibition and awards ceremony. 

The celebration brought together curious, creative young problem-solvers who had taken part in the UK-wide “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” competition, delivered 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 design an invention that could make a difference. 

Every idea submitted is read and graded by engineering professionals, with each pupil receiving a personalised certificate in recognition of their work. Shortlisted designs are then considered by judging panels of leading industry and engineering experts, who choose the pupils celebrated at regional award ceremonies across the UK. 

At the Isle of Man ceremony, guests explored an inspiring exhibition packed with shortlisted pupil designs before Highly Commended pupils and winners were invited on stage to receive trophies and framed certificates. In total, 34 pupils from schools and home-educated groups across the region were recognised for their imaginative engineering ideas. 

Year 1: 

  • Highly Commended – Foodmaker by Nala D, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 
  • Winner – Tent putting up machine by A.J S, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 
  • Winner – Firefighter machine by Remy M, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 

Year 2: 

  • Highly Commended – Sofa Mobile 2000 by Freya C, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 
  • Highly Commended – Super Glasses by Hubert C, Scoill Vallajeelt 
  • Winner – Sun panda by Sharon N, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 
  • Winner – Rucksack Bicycle by Lucas G, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 

Year 3: 

  • Highly Commended – Virtual assemblies for school by Martha G, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 
  • Highly Commended – The red emergency lights by Imogen B, Marown School 
  • Winner – The drying slide by Maryam A, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School 
  • Winner – Best bedtime buddies by Florence H, Marown School 

Year 4: 

  • Highly Commended – The Cold Bowl by Mari V D, Scoill Vallajeelt 
  • Highly Commended – Portable Ramp by Steffi S, Marown School 
  • Winner – Helper Hat by Millie C, Marown School 
  • Winner – The beep beep bottle and bracelet by Emma K, Marown School 

Year 5: 

  • Highly Commended – Move Shelf by Charlie P, Ashley Hill 
  • Highly Commended – ADHD Watch by Nell K, St Thomas’ C of E 
  • Winner – The ‘Roll me over’ tag by George L, Marown School 
  • Winner – Handy Hands by Eleanor B, Ashley Hill 

Year 6: 

  • Highly Commended – Vibey Beats by Grace Q, Ballasalla Primary School  
  • Highly Commended – Cat Eye Electricity Maker by Luke C, Peel Clothworkers’ School 
  • Winner – SnowEcho Coach by Jacob O, Jurby Community School 
  • Winner – Solar Sunshade (S.S) by Aarav T, Ballacottier School 

Year 7: 

  • Highly Commended – Tellie Talkie by Jasmine H, Queen Elizabeth II High School 
  • Highly Commended – Underwater nano bubble producer by Liam G, Queen Elizabeth II High School 
  • Winner – Pretty in your own skin by Winter H, Queen Elizabeth II High School 
  • Winner – Vivalimb by Freddie P, Queen Elizabeth II High School 

Year 8: 

  • Highly Commended – Paralysed Saddle by Emelia L, Queen Elizabeth II High School 
  • Highly Commended – Paralysed Saddle by Siri T, Queen Elizabeth II High School 
  • Highly Commended – Talk 2 animals by Evie L, Queen Elizabeth II High School 
  • Winner – AvailableBusSeats.com by Keira S, Queen Elizabeth II High School 
  • Winner – Bullet bottle by Scarlett S, Queen Elizabeth II High School 

Year 12: 

  • Winner – Calming Boxx by Mia P, University College Isle of Man 
  • Winner – LifeBuoy Air by Liam B, University College Isle of Man 

Among the pupils recognised was Liam B from University College Isle of Man, whose invention idea, “LifeBuoy Air”, received the special Judges’ Award. 

Each year, Primary Engineer’s university and industry partners select an idea from the previous year’s shortlisted entries to develop into a working prototype. “Spray” prototype brought to life by Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, based on an idea by Martha G from Henry Bloom Noble Primary School, was unveiled at the ceremony. 

Primary Engineer thanked its national and regional partners for fully funding the competition and helping bring engineering to life in classrooms across Greater Manchester. 

Photos from the day can be viewed in the full Facebook album: Primary Engineer | Facebook 

The 2026/27 competition is now open, offering more pupils the chance to imagine, design and share engineering ideas that could help shape the future. 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/