Northern Education Trust Manor Community Academy Year 10 students, Jessica B, Libby C, Phoebe M, Owen G and Ethan W are the proud winners of the North East regional SHELL Bright Ideas Competition 2020.

The national, cross curriculum competition is organised by multinational oil and gas company, SHELL, for secondary students aged 11-14. SHELL run the competition to demonstrate a commitment to a brighter future, whilst helping students to develop a range of skills including creativity, problem solving, team working and innovative thinking.

Manor Community Academy’s team carried out extensive scientific research about how they could improve their local community of Hartlepool. They considered the local beaches, such as Seaton Carew, wanting their solution to address the plastic pollution crisis through a circular economy, as well as saving energy. As a result, the team proposed the inventive solution of using genetically-engineered enzymes to break down plastic at the new waste-to-energy plant in Billingham, instead of using vast amounts of heat. Finding alternative ways to reuse plastic promotes the welfare of the environment, creating a safer and greener community – putting the North East region at the forefront of pioneering science.

The academy’s science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) team, spearheaded by the dedicated Science staff, Tara McConaghie, Chantel Bawdon and Anna Newby, are so proud of the students for their concerted efforts and excellent outcomes. The winning students will receive £2,500 for the school and amazing STEM-packed goodie bags, as well as the opportunity to attend exciting STEM workshops. They have also been invited to join a national awards ceremony, where they will receive further recognition for their superb efforts.

This is a fantastic outcome for the students, and the staff at Manor Community Academy are incredibly proud of their achievements.