October 2024

We are delighted to say that RISE for Schools 2024 has been a huge success! Over 250 pupils nationally have entered the competition and consequently, shared their ideas on how we can create a more sustainable world.

In June, the RISE judging panel, which is made up of Professors, Officers and Colleagues across our SEEDS committee institutions (Leeds Beckett University, Loughborough University, University of Suffolk, University of the West of England, Bristol) and construction engineering specialist, Keltbray, came together to judge the entries and were extremely impressed with the pupils’ hard work and ideas. Here are some of the comments from the panel:

“The students are congratulated for taking time to think about the future and ‘saving’ the planet through the medium of posters.  They express creatively how this might be addressed, this is a wonderful contribution to both humanity but especially to SEEDS 2024. It has been humbling to be a member of the judging panel of the posters. A celebration of how young people are addressing and highlighting the need for sustainable practices!!!!”

“All the entries were imaginative, creative and, above all, were clear on the messages we need to hear about the future of our planet. It was obvious the entrants have a clear grasp of what is going on in our world and have very strong ideas on how to tackle things like climate change and deforestation. I believe our planet is in safe hands with this generation because of their passion and drive for change.”

“I wanted to say thank you to all our competition entrants, I was so impressed with all age groups; The RISE for Schools poster competition was a revelation! Every entry buzzed (quite a lot of bees) with creativity and thought-provoking ideas for a greener future.”

“Companies like Keltbray, who are working in the construction industry invest considerable time and effort in ensuring that we’re working towards a sustainable future.  With this in mind, it was great seeing the thoughts and ideas of the young people, on ways that we can all work together to create a brighter future.  The use of creative thinking and artwork was inspirational.  A lot of hard work has gone into producing the posters, with some really bright colours, and some amazing artwork supporting the themes of saving energy, protecting species, reducing the levels of pollution and so much more. Well done to everyone that was involved – you should all be really proud of your hard work.”

All entries were displayed our International SEEDS Conference 2024 so that researchers from across the world could read the students' ideas.

Photo credit: Victor de Jesus Photography

With the help of our Sponsors for RISE for Schools 2024, Promatica Digital Solutions and CIOB, we have been able to award prizes to the winning schools and their pupils. Winning entries included a range of creative and innovative ideas, such as encouraging others to use renewable energy sources, recycle and reuse plastic and to protect bees and minibeasts.

Members of the panel will be visiting the schools in the coming weeks to present the students with their certificates, trophies and prizes.

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 April 2024

This year, Leeds Beckett University are hosting the International SEEDS Conference. SEEDS stands for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society and is an event where experienced and early-career researchers from across the world come together to collaborate and share ideas. As part of the conference, we invite university students to submit posters for our Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Enterprise (RISE) for Industry awards. As part of this, we also run the RISE for Schools competition where we ask children to submit poster entries and their work is displayed at the conference for our researchers to see.

RISE for Schools is a chance for pupils to think about climate change and how we can make the world a more sustainable place. Pupils of any age can enter and poster entries are free. All entries will receive a framed certificate of commendation for their commitment to sustainability, as part of the SEEDS sustainable communities.

The posters from all schools are judged anonymously by our panel of Chairs at the University. Once the panel have decided, we will let you know whether any of your pupils are winners – if so, they will receive book vouchers and a trophy. If you wish, we can also organise an assembly where our Chairs could come and present the certificates (as we have done in previous years at other schools) or alternatively, we may be able to arrange for a contact from your school to attend the SEEDS conference gala dinner and collect the awards on behalf of the winning children.

The closing date for entries is Friday 24th May and to enter, please email the posters to LSIConference@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Submissions can be from an individual or from a group, team or class. It is entirely up to you whether you open this up to your whole school or just certain classes or groups as I know it will depend on your timetable. As the awards presentation would likely be after the conference in the 24/25 academic year, we would perhaps recommend only opening this up to children who will still be at the school in September to ensure they are able to receive their certificate and potential prize.

If you would like a flyer to put up in your school with more information or a PowerPoint brief (including pictures of previous entries) that you can present to your class, please email LSIConference@leedsbeckett.ac.uk and we will be happy to send this to you.