Family Affairs and other matters

Internet Explorer have just announced the winners of this year’s Life Academy. Internet Explorer 8 Life Academy was a national competition launched to give 18-25 year olds a chance to explore their future potential and win a £10,000 grant to make their socially responsible idea a reality.

The competition saw 268 entrants whittled down to a final 3 by a judging panel including Professor Robert Winston and Countdown mathematician Rachel Riley.

What a great idea and I thought I’d let you all know in case anybody is interested in getting their teenagers to enter next year – especially as it’s a worthwhile cause – all ideas have to be socially responsible.

The winning ideas are:

Adventurer Explorer Grant
Luke Duggleby, 22 from Bristol, his idea is to bring internet and services that will significantly improve educational needs to a vocational centre in Uganda. You can see Luke’s live pitch here http://www.lifeacademy.uk.com/entries/view/a0c3161f51ef4b9a900681a7b85270ea

Online Venture Explorer Grant
Rowenna Davis, 25 from Southwark, her idea is to provide young people with an online platform to understand their local government and stand for councillors. You can see Rowenna’s live pitch here http://www.lifeacademy.uk.com/entries/view/13bf5e648274446bac2bc6d97bda4f91

Creativity Explorer Grant
Nick Palfrey, 23 from Plymouth, his idea is to develop learning spaces using simulator or video game technology so that 3D models of proposed schools can be explored by students, teachers and parents with amendments made and sent back to architects. You can see Nick’s live pitch here http://www.lifeacademy.uk.com/entries/view/b7d0df6568334198b22d89b7f8780c93

All entrants had to pitch for a grant in one of three categories
Adventurer Explorer Grant for travel, adventure or environmental projects
Online Venture Explorer Grant for budding technology and business entrepreneurs
Creativity Explorer Grant for creative, media and arts-based ideas.

Leila Martine, judge and director of Windows consumer business, said: “Internet Explorer 8 Life Academy was an opportunity to encourage talent and provide a platform of support to 18-25 year olds. Internet Explorer has grown up with this generation and the aim of the project is to help them explore their future potential and bring a socially responsible idea to life.” I believe the £10,000 grants will do just that and look forward to assisting the winners in their ambitions.”

Professor Robert Winston said: “All 12 finalists who pitched their ideas on the day were strong contenders. Although it was hard to pick the three winners I feel (Insert name) gave a great pitch and wish him/her the best of luck.”

Rachel Riley, Countdown mathematician, said: “It was amazing to see people of my age with such interesting and socially responsible ideas. We’re the first generation to grow up with the Internet and it is such a great tool to help make ideas a reality.”