United Kingdom, 2005-Nov-17
Siemens is today launching Imagine Beyond the Limits, a nationwide competition for schools to help get young people thinking about science, technology and innovation and to inspire them to create their own futuristic inventions.
Teachers can use the specially created competition pack to facilitate a classroom discussion about what the future will be like, and where people will live, to tie in with science and technology, art and design or geography syllabuses.
The competition is called ‘Imagine Beyond the Limits’ and is open to 18 year olds and under. It is aiming to get young people thinking about what life will be like in 2020, and get them to describe and draw the day-to-day objects and gadgets which might be contained within the home of 2020.
Ian Riley, Head of Corporate Marketing at Siemens, commented: “We will be looking for the freshest and most creative ideas about what the house of the future will look like and contain. I hope that teachers will use this opportunity to let their pupils’ imaginations run wild, and consider all areas of life within the home, from communications and entertainment, to healthcare and transport.”
The competition will accept group entries from schools as well as individual submissions through an interactive website at www.beyondthelimits.co.uk. A teachers’ pack with entry forms is available by emailing imagine@beyondthelimits.co.uk.
The winning school will receive £500 to spend on science books and equipment, and their idea will be drawn up into a futuristic design by a top illustrator. Winners of the competition for individuals will receive a fabulous Fujitsu Siemens Computers laptop.
Dave Rowley, head of campaigns at the Royal Academy of Engineering commented: “We’re trying to get young people interested in engineering at an earlier age, and give them the opportunity to see how exciting it can be. It’s important for teachers to get them involved - either by encouraging them to visit the Science Museum, or take part in competitions, or setting up a school club - and giving them that inspiration.
"We want to move away from the idea that engineering is all about bridges – what young people today are interested in are mobile phones, i-pods and amazing constructions they can experience, like the London Eye.”
Pupils can get some inspiration by visiting the free Siemens sponsored ‘Building to the Limits’ exhibition at the Science Museum which provides a fascinating insight into innovative buildings and gadgets within them that already exist. From the world’s tallest building that can withstand typhoons of 144 mph, to a futuristic home communications badge which can read your emails and allow you to switch on your cooker without you having to leave the sofa!
‘Building to the limits’ runs at the Science Museum in London until 19 March 2006. To organise an educational visit, please contact the Science Museum on 020 7942 4777 or email edbookings@nmsi.ac.uk.
Notes to editors
The ‘Building to the limits’ exhibition and its tour is sponsored by Siemens as part of a three-year commitment to the Science Museum. ‘Building to the Limits’ runs to 19 March 2006.
About Siemens
Established in the United Kingdom in 1843 with annual revenues of £2.6 billion‚ Siemens provides innovative‚ high-quality services and solutions to customers in a diverse range of industry sectors including electrical systems‚ communications networks‚ traffic management systems‚ integrated security and energy-saving temperature control systems.
Siemens provides products and solutions for many of the world’s most prestigious buildings‚ such as Taipei 101 in Taiwan‚ the Albert Hall and the Swiss Re building (‘The Gherkin’) in London‚ and stadiums for the Euro 2004 football championship in Portugal and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens.
Mr. Rob Simpson
Corporate Communications, Siemens plc
Further information
Fax: +44 (0)1344 396693
Tel: +44 (0)1344 396338