Ellen MacArthur inspires our BT Young Scientists & Technologists
As we gear up for the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition itself, we invited world-record breaking sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur to share her thoughts on sustainability and innovation with the students, this week (6th December).
Ellen and her foundation (www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org) have developed a “circular economy” model – where products are designed to take a new lease of life when they become worn out, or broken. So rather than just being thrown away, products are designed to become something new. You can watch a short video on what it’s all about here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRKvDyyHmI
Ellen is dedicated to developing the next generation of business thinkers (as well as working with existing businesses to re-design their products). Last night she hosted a webchat and call for us, where she was joined by more than 75 BT Young Scientists & Technologists.
She took more than 25 questions during the BT Conferencing event. Speaking from her home town of Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, Ellen covered topics ranging from sailing a boat made from recycled materials, to the re-design of domestic products. After the call, she told us how impressed she was with the quality of questions from Irish students.
As part of the BT Business of Science & Technology Programme, Ellen will travel to Dublin in March 2012 to lead a workshop and challenge participating pupils to re-think and re-design their ideas.
To listen to the session, just dial +44 (0) 207 136 9233, enter the PIN – 97098652# and then choose option 1.
