Annabelle, from Thornlie Primary, Wishaw, won the £500 top prize after her mascot, Techy, claimed the most votes in the poll organised by the telecoms communications provider, in partnership with SmartSTEMs and North Lanarkshire Council.
However, such was the high standard of entries in the final shortlist of four – and the huge number of votes cast for each one by thousands of members of the public – that Commsworld decided to introduce further prizes for second, third and fourth as a one-off this year.
It means that £250 was also awarded to second-placed Rachel, from St Mary’s Primary, Cleland, for her mascot Comunibot. Meanwhile Katieann, from Kier Hardie Primary, Motherwell, and Eve, from Holy Family Primary, Bellshill, received £125 each after their mascots Cammie and Jimmy Bob Junior finished third and fourth respectively.
Commsworld, who brought all four entries to life through AI in a special video, now intend to use them as their own ‘Comms’ team of STEM superheroes in any future workshops.
The competition was the culmination of another fantastic year of workshops organised by Commsworld and SmartSTEMs across schools and colleges in North Lanarkshire. More than 1,000 young people took part in the workshops, which aim to encourage them to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Commsworld Marketing Manager Martina Corr, who presented each school with their cheques, said: "Many congratulations to Annabelle – Techy was a very worthy winner. Congratulations also go to Rachael, Katieann and Eve who made the shortlist with Comunibot, Cammie and Jimmy Bob Junior. We thought they were all fantastic, so much so we couldn’t let anyone go unrewarded.
“Many thanks also to the public for voting in our poll. We were really overwhelmed by the size of the response. In the future, we aim to use our brand new ‘Comms Team’ of STEM superheroes – Techy, Comunibot, Cammie and Jimmy Bob Junior – in our workshops. We hope they will help us inspire youngsters to think of science, technology, engineering and maths in a different light, and pursue future careers in a STEM subject.”
Karen Sim, Head Teacher at winning school Thornlie Primary, said: “The workshops provided by Commsworld were engaging and interesting for all pupils. Our pupils entered the mascot competition and we are delighted that one of our P7s, Annabelle won with her brilliant character design 'Techy'. The £500 prize money for the school was much appreciated and Annabelle will decide with her class how they will spend it to benefit the children of Thornlie Primary School.”
Winner Annabelle said: “It's great how my design has been transformed into AI and will used by Commsworld and 'Techy' will be on their website.”
Mrs Preston, Primary 7 teacher at Holy Primary, said: “Holy Family have really enjoyed participating in the workshops with Commsworld. Eva was thrilled to see her idea brought to life and was a great opportunity for all the children to see how they can contribute their thoughts and ideas to make a difference. Eva also said it was ‘amazing’ and loved her prizes.”
Councillor Michael McBride, Convener of Education, Children and Families at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “It was great to see our pupils taking part in this exciting and creative competition, which has inspired them to think differently about technology and design.
“Thanks to Commsworld and SmartSTEMs for working with our schools and providing such a positive opportunity for our pupils.”
Stuart Macdonald, Founder and CEO of SmartSTEMs, said: “Annabelle’s Techy is a very worthy winner. But congratulations too to Rachael, Katieann and Eve – and to Commsworld for extending the prizes to these fantastic finalists. Their mascot designs show not only how talented the youngsters across schools in North Lanarkshire are, but how they can be connected to STEM through our workshops. We hope that this new connection provides them all with the incentive to study STEM subjects in secondary education and go on to become Scotland’s STEM leaders of the future.”
