The young winners of the annual Bright Ideas School Competition were awarded at the Department of Economic Development’s Energy Expo 2011; first prize winners of each category were presented with prizes from competition sponsors, Appleby. The Bright Ideas School Competition, run in conjunction with the Department of Education and Children, asked Key Stage 1 and 2 students to design or describe how they think houses will look and be heated in the future. Key Stage 3 and 4 students were asked to design their ‘Bright Idea for the Future’ relating to energy saving or green issues. The number of competition entries this year was far greater than ever before, which provided the judges with the unenviable task of selecting winners. The judging panel consisted of, Mrs Clare Christian MLC, Department of Economic Development Member with responsibility for Energy, Peter Longworth, Government’s Energy Initiatives Officer, Muriel Garland, George Fincher and Phil Corlett all representatives from local ‘not for profit’ organisations that encourage energy saving and promote environmental issues. The winning students visiting Energy Expo 2011 were excited to be given the opportunity to look around and visit the many exhibitor stands on show and hopefully took away useful information which they can develop in the future. Minister for Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, commented: “I am delighted to hear that the Bright Ideas School Competition has once again proven to be a success. I am very grateful to the Department of Education and Children for its co-operation and to the sponsor, Appleby, for its support. Hosting the Energy Expo and associated events encourages both children and adults alike to consider their energy usage and the ways in which they can reduce this to protect the world in which we work, live, travel and play.” Minister for Education and Children, Eddie Teare MHK, added: “Younger students were asked to design an eco-friendly house for the future while older students were given free range to come up with a bright idea for a greener future. The entries showed a lot of imagination and demonstrate that our young people are, via our schools, giving some intelligent thought to the future of their planet and how its resources can be preserved. I was delighted with the response to this competition and I would like to thank Appleby and the Department for Economic Development for providing sponsorship and support. Without this encouragement our young people would not have the incentive to consider and respond to issues which are critical to their future.” Appleby Isle of Man’s Managing Partner, Sean Dowling, commented: “We were delighted to support the Department of Economic Development’s Energy Expo 2011 by providing transport and prizes for the winners of the Bright Ideas School Competition. There was a very high standard of entries, showing real imagination and creativity: it’s heartening to see how young people in the Island’s schools have put such thought into developing ‘green’ and sustainable ideas. Maybe some of those ideas will become reality in the future; we would be proud if Appleby had rewarded some young entrepreneurs along the way!” ENDS