Class Of Your Own Challenge 2023
in association with
A DESIGN FOR LIFE
Class Of Your Own’s ‘Design Engineer Construct!’ Learning Programme provides a platform for children and young people to address a range of social and environmental issues through the lens of industry professionals.
Our focus this year is on something that everyone has experienced… BIRTH.
The birth of a child is a wonderful experience for most, but for some, it can be a very worrying time.
Every year in the UK alone, over 90,000 babies are cared for in neonatal units because they have either been born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), or full term (after 37 weeks) but sick. This means that around 1 in 7 babies born in the UK each year are admitted onto neonatal units.
Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under five.
This year’s COYO Challenge, supported by the NHS New Hospital Programme and Bliss Charity, tasks students aged 11-16 to design a net zero Neonatal Unit – a building to provide care for special babies and everyone who cares for them.
A MODERN NET ZERO BUILDING
Exploration of this specialist theme will:
- Challenge entrants’ creativity
- Demand the applied use of STEM subjects
- Encourage collaboration and teamwork skills
Teams will need to demonstrate great empathy for a wide range of end users – providing family and staff spaces and clinical rooms.
They will need to overcome social and cultural issues which may be challenging e.g. the modern family unit, breastfeeding, disability, religious views, etc.
The focus on net zero and modern methods of construction will demand a different way of thinking and working.
They will need to design using appropriate sustainable materials and energy solutions. They’ll consider the ‘kit of parts’ that leads to safer, better quality, replicable healthcare buildings of the future.
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Need help? Your students are not alone!
When they need hints and tips, someone to discuss ideas with or just a simple sense check, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll introduce you to some talented individuals who represent some of the world’s most respected Professional Bodies.
They’ll be on hand to offer help throughout the challenge, both virtually and in the classroom – and inspire great career choices!
Meet professionals like Rachel Hayden representing the Institution of Civil Engineers, and Dr Helen Meese representing the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Bliss is the leading UK charity for the 90,000 babies born needing neonatal care every year. The Bliss vision is that every baby born premature or sick in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life.
To meet the challenge objectives, students (and their teacher and industry helpers) can discover a wealth of information on the website: https://www.bliss.org.uk
Want to help Bliss beyond this challenge? You can!
“We’re delighted that this year’s Class of Your Own challenge will focus on the design of a neonatal unit. Babies born premature or sick have the best chance of survival and quality of life when their parents are empowered to be fully involved in their care.
Therefore, it’s vital that neonatal units are environments that facilitate partnership between parents and the healthcare team, and also provide the facilities parents need to spend as much time as possible by their baby’s cotside.
With one in seven babies in the UK born needing neonatal care, it’s wonderful that this challenge will help young people to understand what happens on a neonatal unit, and the importance of placing the needs of both babies and their families at the heart of all care given.”
HOW TO ENTER
The COYO ‘Design a Neonatal Unit‘ Challenge 2023 is open to all students aged 11-16 years from 27th February to 16th June 2023.
We encourage mixed age-group teams of up to ten students and invite schools to put forward ONE TEAM ONLY representing the best entry. Run an in-school challenge to pick your winning team.
Students will explore and carry out on a range of professional roles as they develop and deliver their ideas for their net zero Neonatal Unit.
Each school team should comprise a maximum of 10 students, with team members undertaking particular responsibilities. We’ve found that some prefer smaller teams, with each team member adopting a number of responsibilities.
Whatever they choose, and however small or large the team, students will develop exceptional team working skills, from creative thinking and conflict resolution to communication and organisation skills.
27th February – COYO Challenge 2023 registration opens.
Your teams can start designing!
REGISTER HERE!
12pm, 16th June 2023 – Submission closing date
Find your winning team and submit your school’s best design.
5th July 2023 – Finalists announced
17th November 2023 – Finalists’ Presentations & Awards Ceremony
World Prematurity Day
At Class Of Your Own, we believe in prizes that money can’t buy.
Thanks to the support of exceptional partners, leaders of design, engineering, construction and technology, we have created some extraordinary experiences for winners year-on-year.
Experiences that provide young people with opportunities to advance their interest in the Built Environment, with a CV and set of references they can be proud of!
Watch this space!
Please email your completed entry to support@classofyourown.com with ‘COYO Challenge Neonatal Unit Entry’ in the subject line.
Feel free to use a file-sharing service (Dropbox, Sharepoint etc.).
REMEMBER!
Send your entries by 12pm GMT on 16th June 2023