Students from Alderman Peel High School enjoyed prestigious work experience placements at an international tech giant, as part of a design competition prize – as well as appearing on screen in London’s Piccadilly.

Darcy-Ella, Flo, Indy, and Rosie, who are all in Year 9 at our school, recently won first place in the Samsung Solve Tomorrow contest with their Plant Enforcers app, beating more than 2,000 competitors in their category.

The four spent a day at Samsung’s headquarters on The Strand, where they received a tour of the offices, games room, and Samsung 24/7 News Desk. The group also had the thrill of seeing themselves and their winning app on the giant digital screen at Piccadilly Circus.

“We came up with the idea for the Plant Enforcer through all of our shared love of nature and looking after the planet,” said 14-year-old Rosie, who hopes to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM).

“I most enjoyed working together with my team and playing to all of our strengths to create our app. I was really inspired by a greener future. When I discovered we’d won, I felt completely in awe, and so proud of all of us.

“I think this will really benefit me, because I am extremely interested in different jobs in STEM, and this will really open up new opportunities. I want to do something that incorporates my love of writing and my passion for looking after the beautiful planet that we live on.”

Team mate Indy agreed: “I enjoyed the making of our prototype, and the teamwork we had to use to make it, and I felt shocked when I found out that we won. I kept thinking to not have my hopes up, and to just appreciate what I’ve done already, so I was really shocked when I found out.”

Flo added: “I was inspired by my younger self always caring for the planet and wanting to help my environment.

“The career that interests me most is wildlife photography, because I believe every living creature that is suffering because of human life deserves the spotlight at least once, and I want to make a difference.”

Lucinda Holmes is Art, Design, and Technology Teacher at our school, which is a member of the Wensum Trust, and praised the students’ achievements.

“I have been totally amazed by the growth in personal confidence by all four students,” she said. “Going to the final, we went with the approach of ‘let’s enjoy this experience and make the most of it’, but they went and won. It was brilliant!

“It has been rewarding to see how they have used their individual strengths, creating a team with a wide range of skills and capabilities. I have been humbled by the students’ dedication to making the world a better place through design.

“They really care about the environment, and already have the ability to make a huge difference. We are so lucky to have them as students.”