Aspiring entrepreneurs from a WNAT secondary school were put through their paces in a series of Dragons’ Den-style workshops which featured a ‘green’ twist.

Nearly 300 Year 10 students at Springwood High School took part in the event, which was run by Youth Climate Solutions, an environmental education and consultancy enterprise founded by University of East Anglia student Jaz Brook.

“Their aim is to create a more climate-conscious future, by educating pupils through school visits and interactive workshops, engaging businesses, and conducting introductory climate audits with local councils,” explained Springwood Environmental Lead Agnieszka Munns, who arranged the event.

“On their visit to the school, Jaz Brook, and her team of Gemma and Hinda, delivered a series of engaging, hands-on, eco workshops. As well as raising important concerns and issues related to climate change and threats to the environment, the team highlighted different post-school study opportunities, research options, and potential green careers that might be suitable for interested students.”

Working in groups, the Springwood students were tasked with designing a product or service to address a social or environmental issue, which they then pitched to a panel of ‘experts’ in a Dragons’ Den-type presentation, complete with supporting displays.

“A consistent theme which ran through the workshops was to highlight to students the potential for environmental factors to be included in business models and entrepreneurial initiatives,” continued Mrs Munns.

“After discussing different options, student groups were encouraged to focus on what they considered to be their most interesting or useful idea. The idea would then be developed practically, taking into account the different factors and broader implications that might affect its feasibility.

“The activity was designed to balance the possibility of environmentally-friendly initiatives in a complex, and, at times, less-than-supportive world.

“Some of the students’ ideas included standardised plastic bottle recycling facilities that rewarded the donors, and varieties of oceanic plastic removal equipment.”

It was the first time that Youth Climate Solutions had visited the school, which is based in King’s Lynn.

“While some of the students’ ideas might not have been particularly revolutionary, original or effective, the fact that designs and concepts for new products and services were being considered with an environmental angle, achieved the critical aim of keeping the issue of the environment to the fore in every stage of the creative process,” added Mrs Munns.

“This was a high quality, impactful, and very creative event, and some students even came back at the end of the day to pick up their designs.”