Removes Pupils Delve Into The Meaning Of True Innovation

Led by Arthur Kattavenos, Head of Science, pupils were tasked with exploring and understanding the meaning of innovation, its application, and how it evolves in various academic fields and the real world.

Innovation in the real world

The six-week course provided a host of opportunities for pupils to engage with the subject, uncover evidence of innovation in certain fields and form opinions. The end goal was for pupils to come up with their own definition of innovation.

Arthur Kattavenos summed up, “true innovation emanates from an individual’s desire to continuously learn and improve. To achieve this, individuals must be willing to self-reflect, identify areas of limitations or gaps within their thinking and then begin the process of discovering new ways of filling in these gaps.”

The topics covered

Covering a broad sphere of topics that include day-to-day life and more theoretical and political areas, the project revealed an eclectic mix of views and interests. Chosen topics from the winning groups spanned:

●       Navigation (Compass to GPS) – including its impact on goods and services and the way GPS enables us to reach the world through an evolved perspective.

●       Pioneering Women (Leadership and Contribution to Innovation) – breaking down the history of women’s place in society, and the effect of comparatively recent changes that have resulted in greater freedom.

●       Animal Adaptation and Innovation (Evolve or Die) – digging into the questions of animal adaptation and extinction, and the impact our world and human interaction has on these outcomes.

The winning groups 

The work from each group involved was outstanding, but as a winner had to be named, Mr Metcalfe’s Tutor Group Lawrence, led by Group Coordinator: Ella earned first place.

Ella commented, “During this project, I have learned how innovation is all around us. I didn’t realise how many steps it took before the compass became the GPS and how one was an innovation of the other”.

Second and third places were awarded to Mrs Campbell’s Tutor Group Melville led by Group Coordinator Claire and Mrs Blampied’s Tutor Group Allenby led by Group Coordinator Freya respectively. Special mentions were also reserved for Miss. Flowerdew’s Tutor Group Albans and their Group Coordinator Isabelle , who also focused on the Navigation topic.

Bella from Hailey allows us an added insight into just how inspiring this project has been as she rounds off, “While doing this project, we have learned about material science and have developed our own ideas about this topic, especially when we discussed and predicted the possible innovations, involving a change of materials, in the future.”

This was the evidence we saw from all groups, regardless of the topic. We look forward to what is to come from Removes as it is an inspiring glimpse into the future and bright minds that are set to lead the way.