The iconic children’s programme, Blue Peter, is launching an initiative to find the UK’s brightest young minds with a competition aimed at kids aged 5 to 15. In collaboration with the Earthshot Prize, this competition invites young inventors to share their ideas and solutions for a more sustainable world.
The competition’s goal is to inspire and engage children in addressing pressing environmental issues. Participants are encouraged to submit their unique inventions or proposals aligned with one of the five Earthshot goals: climate repair, nature conservation, air purification, ocean revival, and waste reduction.
Blue Peter seeks not only innovative concepts but also an understanding of the creative process. Young environmental leaders are asked to describe their ideas and their potential impact on a greener future. To enhance interactivity, they can accompany their entries with drawings or posters that visually represent their vision.
Five distinguished environmental champions will support this initiative, each representing an Earthshot category. These mentors, including Steve Backshall, Hamza Yassin, Bonnie Wright, Inka Creswell, and Sam Bentley, will introduce the topics and inspire participants through Blue Peter films showcasing UK projects dedicated to environmental protection.
The Earthshot Prize, established in 2020, is a global initiative to identify and support groundbreaking ideas, innovations, and technologies that will protect our planet. It recognises and empowers individuals who significantly contribute to environmental sustainability through their projects, products, or technologies.
The competition will be judged across different age categories, with five winners representing each Earthshot goal. These winners will receive a certificate, the exclusive Blue Peter Orange competition winner’s badge, and the opportunity to participate in a VIP filming with the Blue Peter team. They will also receive a copy of the Earthshot Prize book, ‘A Handbook for Dreamers and Thinkers’.
UK residents aged 5 to 15 can find all competition details, including entry guidelines and privacy information, on the Blue Peter website. Teachers and pupils can also get involved through BBC Teach’s Planet Create challenges, where primary school students can learn about sustainability in an interactive and engaging way.
The competition is currently open, with a submission deadline of October 28, 2024. The winners will be announced on Blue Peter in 2025.
