Meet Dan, our third young person to sit on the Solutions for the Planet Big Ideas Programme Final panel.

Year on year, we are trying to make sure the panel of judges better represent our target audience.  This can be a challenge, as, for many of our partners, increasing workforce diversity is an ongoing challenge and one of the problems that we are looking to alleviate by encouraging more young women and minority groups into science, technology, engineering and maths.

2017 was the third year that we have had a young person representative on the panel.  Last year we were joined by Izzy (15 years) who said:

“I was absolutely delighted and honoured to be asked to be the student judge at the Solutions for the Planet final this year. I was amazed by the amount of hard work and dedication that went into creating these ideas and how detailed and complex the business plans were, particularly as these were from people of my age. I learnt that young people have a real passion and drive to create ideas to influence a better world. I felt privileged to play a part in that and I would very much recommend the Solutions for the Planet programme to anyone of my age.”

The Solutions for the Planet team feel it is incredibly valuable to have a young person on the Finals judging panel, to give a unique perspective on the competition entries.  It is also a great experience for the young person themselves.  This year was the first year that our young person judge was an alumnus of the Big Ideas programme.  Dan, 16, from Alderbrook School in Solihull, West Midlands was part of the E-Waste team that came 2nd in the 2016 national finals.  Dan said about his involvement this year:

“I think the quality of the entries was incredible. All of the ideas were very imaginative and thoughtfully put together and every single presentation was performed with warmth, positive energy and enthusiasm. Everybody should be very proud of themselves.”

He also went on to say that although “it was a very challenging experience, it was also very enjoyable!”

Dan was a panel of nine judges which included executive board members, senior directors, experienced engineers and social entrepreneurs.  They scored the twelve finalist teams on how Achievable, Beneficial and Clever their Big Ideas were.

Thank you for doing a wonderful job as a judge Dan, we wish you and E-Waste every success!