Youngsters with a flair for science have the chance to win £500 at the dragons’ den style event the KM Bright Spark Awards.

The annual competition which encourages pupils to collaborate using cross-curricular skills in maths, IT, science and engineering, is now open for entry. Submissions can be made by primary or secondary schools, or by groups of students who have collaborated on a project to innovate and create.

Groups selected to take part in the dragons’ den-style final will be filmed in advance in school to show the detail of the project. This is screened at the event, staged at Discovery Park, before the dragons begin their questioning of students.

The youngsters will compete for trophies and money can’t buy experience prizes plus the overall champions’ prize of £500.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team which is staging the event said: "Maths, science and engineering are critical to the success of the economy and it is vital to encourage the next generation to think about this as a career.

“KM Bright Spark Awards is all about making science cool and providing an engagement challenge to excite students with practical science. We really want to see what students at both primary and secondary level are doing, whether it’s simple coding or designing rockets."

Judging the entries will be representatives from Astro Communications Ltd, Benenden Hospital Trust, Integrated Technologies Ltd, Pfizer, Golding Vision, Prendon Panels Ltd, BAE Systems, Global Associates, and Megger.

To take part, click HERE or visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk and click on the ‘Schools’ link to access the online entry form before the deadline of June 2.