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A grammar school in Dover needs your vote to win an award for their innovative tech design that will help people with heart conditions.
Dover Grammar School's team Tech Sisters is among 39 finalists for the Girls Longitude Explorer Prize in the People’s Choice Award by Nesta Challenges.
They've submitted their idea for a Tech T-Shirt - a garment that detects arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm) in people with a heart condition, informing contacts and if necessary, the nearest hospital.
If they win, they'll get £5,000 for their school or youth group.
In addition to the public vote, the teams will be submitting their final ideas to the Longitude Explorer Prize judging panel, which will meet virtually in July, with the grand prize winners earning £25,000 for their school or youth group and three runner-up teams earning £10,000.
The awards ask teams to work in developing tech solutions to some of the great challenges of our time.
Despite school closures and lockdown, the girls have worked remotely with expert mentors to bring their ideas to life.
This is the first time that the public has had a say in awarding a winner in the three years the Longitude Explorer Prize has run.
Tris Dyson, Executive Director, Nesta Challenges said: “I’m very pleased to announce the new People’s Choice Award, the first time the public has been able to vote for a challenge prize winner. The Longitude Explorer Prize encourages young people, no matter their background, gender or heritage to grow their great ideas into real world solutions.
"We live in extraordinary times and we need game-changing solutions to help us live healthier, longer lives in an equal, greener, smarter world.
"The finalists are talented young entrepreneurs who have overcome the obstacles of lockdown and social distancing, to develop bright ideas that can make a real difference to the world around us.”
Innovations in the running include robots that clean the ocean and devices to help young people take part in lessons remotely, to tech that helps isolated people connect with others and apps to help people lead healthier lives.
The winnings are to be used to help further develop their innovative idea or invest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) and entrepreneurial resources.
Finalists were announced in March and the online vote is now open until July 3, 2020. To vote click here.
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