Reviewed 30 November 2008

Students create energy-saving ideas for the home in new Patent Office competition

The Patent Office is inspiring students to come up with a device to help householders save energy in the home in its national Go Green! innovation competition.

In the Design & Technology and Technology Studies category, students aged between 14 to 16 years are challenged to design a gadget that monitors the amount of energy used. For the Business Studies category, students are asked to develop an innovative campaign that promotes the benefits of an energy monitoring device. All students have to provide evidence that they have conducted intellectual property research to make sure that their ideas do not infringe any others on the market.

Education and Enterprise Manager of The Patent Office Dave Morgan said:

"It is becoming increasingly important to manage energy supplies. Innovation can help us to do this. Our new competition will inspire young people to look at what has already been developed and come up with their own ideas."

The competition is an element of the THINK kit II "The Road to Innovation" education pack developed by the Patent Office and EdComs for use in schools. Case studies in the resource focus on innovative companies or individuals such as SWATCH®, PICSEL®, singer Jamelia, musician James McMillan, Yo!® Sushi restaurant chain and a new addition Solio Power to the Sun®, a renewable power source.

The deadline for the competition is 2 June 2006. For further information or to order copies of the THINK kit II pack contact Susan Richards at The Patent Office on +44 (0)1633 814303 or e-mail market@patent.gov.uk

Editors' notes:

  1. THINK kit II uses contemporary case studies to illustrate how intellectual property is used in business. You can get more information, and order a free copy on this website.
  2. The deadline for the competition is 2 June 2006.
  3. Winners in the two categories for the brand identity and promotional campaign will receive £250-worth of WHSmith vouchers, up to £1000 for their school and a trip to London for the awards ceremony.
  4. Other organisations supporting the Rally are the South West Regional Development Agency, Business Link and Shell LiveWire.

Date of press release 30 Janauary 2006