This academic year, Year 5 and 6 children at Montem, James Elliman, Western House and Godolphin took part in the Design4SDG challenge. This is a set of six challenges aimed at primary and secondary schools to engage children in learning about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The organisers of the event informed us that 100 schools across the country entered this year's competition. 

The challenge was launched in June and pupils were set the task to form groups and choose an SDG challenge to focus on and brainstorm ideas for. The children were informed that they could present their idea in any format they liked.

These were the six challenges that pupils had to choose from:

SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing  - Can you develop an idea to promote exercise and wellbeing in your school?

SDG4: Quality Education  - Can you develop a project that promotes 'Green Skills' to enhance education in your school? 

SDG5: Gender Equality  - Can you develop an idea or event to encourage all genders to participate and feel included?

SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Can you redesign your playground to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly?

SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production  - Can you develop an idea that reduces the food waste produced in your school?

SDG13: Climate Action  - Can you develop an activity to inspire more younger students in your school to take action?

Once the pupils had created their idea, they needed to pitch their projects to their teachers and fellow pupils. Each school had to submit their strongest entry for each challenge. At that point, a selection of schools were invited to present their projects at the semi-finals. 

The semi-finals were held in December and we were delighted to hear that all Slough schools had been successful and had earned a place at the Design4SDGs final at The Bett Show. Each finalist group had two minutes to present their ideas on the main stage at Bett. 

First up were the 'Energy Creators from Montem' who presented their idea to increase exercise through the use of fixed exercise bikes on the playground and holding cycling competitions for teachers and pupils. Next we had 'The Gardeners of the Galaxy' from GJA who spoke about implementing a gardening club for the whole school community. After that, was WHA who even handed out business cards to the audience with their QR code to learn more about how they were going to tackle food waste and even target the all-inclusive hotel chains! Last from The Park Federation schools were three girls from JEA who gave an energetic and powerful speech on how composting can help to reduce food waste. 

The children were on a huge stage, with microphones, lights and large screens and they all delivered their presentations with confidence and gusto! It was a proud moment for The Park Federation. To top off a great event, James Elliman won their category and were announced as SDG winners! There were six winning schools in total (one for each challenge) and the competition began with 100 schools taking part so a huge well done to four schools reaching the final and an extra well done to James Elliman Academy who won! 

The pupils who took part have further developed their knowledge of climate action and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, the work on the project and the opportunity to present at Bett! 

There is a short 'highlights' video of the final attached to enjoy. 

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