David Tredinnick MP welcomed students from Hinckley Academy in Leicestershire to exhibit their engineering project to MPs and some of the UK’s leading STEM companies after wowing judges at the regional heats of The Big Bang Competition.

Year 12 students Travis Poulton, Zoe Smallwood and Josie Waters impressed the judges with their antiarthritic drug which can be synthesised in a school laboratory. They were selected to showcase their project at the Houses of Parliament during Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, which is part of the Year of Engineering - a year-long government campaign that celebrates the world and wonder of engineering.

They will go on to join over 200 other project teams from across the UK in the finals, which take place during The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair at the Birmingham NEC, March 2019.

The Bosworth MP also had the chance to meet the winner of this year’s Senior Engineering prize, Bethan Padbury who also studied at Hinckley Academy and is now reading Physics at Loughborough University. 

The Big Bang Competition is an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people's achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as helping them build skills and confidence in project-based work.

The competition is open to 11-18yr olds and gives participants the chance to compete for top prizes worth over £30,000, such as international experiences and prestigious awards such as GSK UK Young Scientist and GSK UK Young Engineer of the Year.

Commenting on Hinckley Academy’s success, Mark Titterington, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, which organises the Competition said:

“This year’s entries to The Big Bang Competition highlight how talented the UK’s young scientists and engineers are. It’s easy to see why Hinckely Academy’s project has secured a place at the UK finals and we were incredibly excited to host their project at the Houses of Parliament.”

David Tredinnick MP said “I was delighted to welcome Hinckley Academy to the House of Commons. Their fantastic project showcases the talent that we have in Hinckley & Bosworth.”

“Congratulations to Travis, Zoe and Josie and good luck for the finals in March – let’s hope Hinckely’s winning streak continues.”