UK young engineers of the year announced

Sankha Kahagala-Gamage (16) and David Bernstein (16) took the top prizes in The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Competition.

Mr Kahagala-Gamage teamed up with Mr Bernstein to create a wearable vest that monitors heart rate variability and body temperature to efficiently predict an epileptic fit up to eight minutes in advance.

Once a fit is detected, the vest sends a message to both the wearer’s phone as well as possibly a carer to warn them that they need to seek help.

Mr Kahagala-Gamage said: “Winning was one of the greatest achievements of our lives. It just goes to show if you truly believe in your invention and you put enough work in, you will succeed. I hope the MediVest will inspire the next set of engineers in 2018.”

Mr Bernstein said: “The Big Bang Fair has been an absolute manic couple of days for us – but I’ve loved every second of it. It’s an opportunity to learn about the most amazing sciences and engineering and I’m humbled to be around such amazing minds working to create the newest science and technology.”

Over 600 finalists from across the country were selected to show their ideas at The Big Bang Fair where 10 were then shortlisted to pitch Dragon’s Den-style to a panel of high profile judges, including Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBE space scientist & TV presenter, Jason Bradbury, TV presenter & gadget guru and Dr Shini Somara, mechanical engineer & TV presenter.

The Big Bang Competition is an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people's achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as helping them build skills and confidence in project-based work.

Previous winners include young people who have since gone on to successful careers in a range of high profile companies, represent the UK at international awards and even become the youngest ever entrepreneurs to appear on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

Paul Jackson, chief executive of EngineeringUK, which organises The Big Bang Competition, said: “The winners have been rightly recognised as some of the brightest young talent in the country. Their innovative thinking and fresh ideas stood out to the judges. They are not just prize winners, but a real inspirational. I hope their success will encourage young people across the country to enter The Competition either online or at a regional Big Bang Fair.”

EngineeringUK www.engineeringuk.com

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