Pupils brave the dragons at Catalyst, Widnes

11:10am Monday 1st December 2008

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CHARGE your mobile by walking in trendy trainers or grow exotic vegetables using thermal energy from your TV!

These were just two of the innovative inventions intrepid young scientists invented at a fun-filled scientific Dragons’ Den.

Imaginative pupils were challenged to design a gizmo to save the planet at a ladies’ enterprise day at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes.

Sue Halliday, education manager, said: “We have been very impressed by the ideas the girls have come up with. They had to demonstrate science skills.

“We are trying to attract more girls into chemistry. There are lots of fantastic and exciting career opportunities. You’re not going to be working in a dirty environment.”

Pupils had to sell their ideas to a Dragons’ Den panel, presenting a prototype, explaining how it would work, how much it cost to make and how it could be marketed.

Gadgets included: A therma turtle, a robotic device that sucks in excess heat energy from lightbulbs and TV and changes it into electricity; Lazy Greenz, a mini greenhouse using thermal energy to grow exotic vegetables and tropical plants, the Novel Battery Charger, a trainer that recharges batteries, Green Grow, greenhouses using solar energy to grow fruit and vegetables in all climates.

Turbo Touch, a mobile phone that charges itself with kinetic energy every time you text, was declared the winner.

Dragons included Carole Owen, head teacher of Bankfield School, Dr Jenny Clucas, chief executive of Chemicals Northwest and Amy Peace, a chemical engineer at Chemicals Northwest and Barbara Jordan, chief reporter of the Runcorn and Widnes World.

Pupils from schools throughout the north west took part in the enterprise week event.