College Entrepreneurs win BOC Trophy
Posted on Tuesday 31 March 2009
Design and Technology students' invention wins BOC Inspiring Gases Challenge
Students are cool in Dragon's Den
A team of Young Entrepreneurs from Farnborough Sixth Form College have won the 2009 BOC Inspiring Gases Challenge. The challenge was to develop an exciting new application for BOC Sureserve’s range of Hospitality Gases, including helium and carbon dioxide, that could eventually be successfully marketed.
The team of four A level students, 16 year old Sam Read and Robert Towler of Aldershot, Danielle Pratt of Frimley Green, and 17 year old Vikki Chinchen of Wokingham, came up with a novel use of carbon dioxide to produce a curtain of cooling water vapour and CO2 that could be a feature in night clubs or promotional events.
Danielle said, “The curtain would have the added benefit of cooling dancers on a dance floor or it could form a cloud through which guests or celebrities might make an entrance at a world premiere.”
Vikki added, “We have also tested the product as a screen to project colourful images on and we have even tried introducing scents into the curtain to promote fragrances and perfumes.”
The young inventors had to defend their ideas in a presentation to BOC judges in a Dragon’s Den style final held at the BOC Priestley Centre at Guildford Research Park. Sam said, “It was really scary facing the judges and not knowing what we would be asked but we had spent a long time on our business plan and we felt we responded well.”
They responded so well that they were awarded the 2009 trophy and their invention became the centre of attention when BOC staff from across the company came to view the entries and a demonstration of the team’s prototype over lunch.
“I think that our idea has really got commercial possibilities so we are looking at building a full size prototype for use at the College Leavers’ Ball,” said Robert.
Nick Tupper, Tutor in Design and Technology at the College said, “I was really proud of the team who had put in a lot of work to come up with their award winning design – and were able to defend the ideas in the face of tough questioning. Projects like this prepare them really well for the world of work.”
