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Pupil Design
Awards
2023-2024 Winners

This year pupils across education year groups 7–13 responded to three brief challenges applying design thinking to solve complex problems. From focusing on adult care, skin confidence and the effects of modern technology on climate change, this years’ commended projects demonstrate the powerful skills and ability of creativity for social good.

Meet the 2023–24 commended projects:

In partnership

Logo of the Comino Foundation featuring a purple circle with a white key icon inside. The text "COMINO FOUNDATION" is written in bold, purple letters to the right of the circle.
Logo of The Rayne Foundation featuring a navy blue lion holding a key above the organization's name. The text and emblem are centrally aligned on a white background.

Brief 1: Caring Culture

How might we improve the lives of older adults and their carers by encouraging and enabling cultures of care?

Sheniya, Beauchamp College, Age 16-17

Elderly Assisting Machine: Students have designed an innovative device that helps the elderly stand and sit with ease, promoting their autonomy and enhancing their daily lives.

A design sketch and images of a hydraulic air canister system integrated into a sofa. The mechanism allows height adjustment with a lever. It includes detailed views of the canister components and wheels for easy movement.

Daisy, Elizabeth, Guusje and Lucia, Notting Hill & Ealing High School, Ages 14-15

Swushion: A swivel cushion that aids people with mobility issues to enter and exit a car with ease, leading to smoother and more comfortable journeys.

Illustration showing a circular logo with a stylized 'S' and a car. To the right, three technical drawings of mechanical components, including a top view, cross-section, and a side view, all set against a blue background.

Alex, Edward, Ethan and Lucas, Collegiate School, Ages 11-12

Spin ‘n’ Eat: This project investigates the effects on an elderly client when they are unable to use cutlery independently.

A cap with "Spin N Eat" embroidered, a fork with an engraved handle, and adjustable straps are displayed on a blueprint background with descriptive text about the product's aim to help people with limited use of their hands.

There are so many issues that are not being brought to light, and it's so good to see that these young entrepreneurs are focusing on trying to build a solution for it.

PDA Judge for Caring Culture brief

Brief 2: In Your Skin

How might we increase the skin confidence of every young person to enable their unique identity to flourish?

Bertie, University College School, Age 16-17

My Skin app for teenager’s skin confidence: An app that allows teenagers to view images of people’s progress and unique skin traits along with being able to access a variety of mental health outlets.

Three smartphone screens display a skincare app. The first screen shows a colorful graphic menu. The second features educational content on skin conditions. The third displays images of skin conditions, including vitiligo and mild acne.

Karma and Maddy, Notting Hill & Ealing High School, Ages 14-15

Nibblets: A collectable card game to encourage children to eat healthily.

An educational project proposal by "Niblets & Co." featuring collectible vegetable- and fruit-themed toys for children. The aim is to promote healthy eating habits, with a focus on sustainability and child involvement in food education.

Melody, Passmores Academy, Age 12-13

Believe in Yourself: A confidential postbox enabling students to anonymously submit notes, encouraging them to express and discuss their feelings about themselves and their self-image.

A colorful handwritten poster titled "Final Idea" by Obyo Medoye. It discusses a proposal to support mental health in students using support groups with professional help. The background features pastel colors with handwritten text in pink, purple, and blue sections.

This was very insightful and challenging process. Listening to judges’ opinions and discussing the entries was a great activity.

PDA Judge for In Your Skin brief

 Brief 3: Earth Smart

How might we inspire communities to draw on ideas from nature and the benefits of modern technology to address the local impacts of climate change?

Sesinie and Tillie, St Paul’s Girls School, Ages 16-18

Baobab Inspired System for Hydration (BISH): A water butt in the shape of a baobab tree to collect rainwater and redistribute during drier seasons.

A diagram shows a water collection system with branches to catch water and a mesh for debris. A storyboard with images depicts the system's setup process. Text describes the concept, highlighting irrigation and sensor use.

Lewis, Bradfield College, Age 14-15

Eco Sapling Protector: A tree guard is designed to give something back to the world in more ways than one. This product can provide protection to a young tree from things that can damage it.

A hand-drawn design sketch of a tree guard with multiple labeled parts: seeds embedded in the material, gaps for airflow, and a clip for securing. Accompanying text outlines its purpose in protecting trees and promoting biodiversity.

Siqiao, St. Paul’s Girls’ School, Age 11-12

Eco Bus Stop: A reimagined bus stop boosting community resilience, purifying our air, and inspiring connections across generations.

Alia, Ainsha, Aqsa, Aysha, Iqra, Kayci, Laiba, Madeeha, Mahr, Nabeeha, Qudasia, Rehan, Sana, Sorousha, Sumayyah, Tahmina, Falinge Park High School, Ages 11-15

Moss Filters – Creating clean air: Cleaning the air both inside and outside the classroom with moss filters which absorb a range of pollutants from both air and water.

A huge congratulations to all the teachers that have supported these students because they are clearly exceptional educators.

PDA Judge for Earth Smart brief
A simple, hand-drawn illustration of a lit light bulb hanging from a cord against a teal background. Short lines radiate from the bulb, symbolizing light.

Pupil Design Awards

Inspiring social change through design thinking.

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