Powys student's award for inventing quad bike theft device

Sophia Grace Evans, from Ysgol Llanfyllin for her creative ‘Quad Clamp’ at the annual WJEC’s Innovation Awards 2022 which recognises Wales’s future inventors.

Ms Evans won the third prize in the A level category for her quad clamp which was created to combat the theft of agricultural vehicles and machinery.

The device is fitted to the floor, so that the quad bike can be locked to it, preventing it from being moved and stolen.

The judges praised her clever approach to securing valuable equipment that is relied upon every day - a different method of security compared to current products available on the market.

Sophia picks up her award.

After winning the award, she said: “I’m feeling pretty good right now. Great to see that all my hard work paid off in the end. I’d like to thank my D&T teachers who have helped and supported me.”

The awards were held on Tuesday December 13 at the Pierhead, Cardiff Bay. They aim to encourage future generations to continue Wales’s impressive legacy of invention by “challenging the design of everyday products and services, and finding innovative solutions to real life problems.”

Despite the pandemic’s undeniable impact on learning, the judges commended students for ‘overcoming considerable challenges to produce innovative concepts and products’. The ‘high standard’ of entrants in this year’s competition were said to highlight the ‘breadth of innovation and ambition held by students’ and was a ‘cause for great celebration’.

WJEC chief executive Ian Morgan said: “A huge congratulations is in order for all the winners. You’ve all demonstrated incredible dedication and determination in developing these ideas and bringing them to life. You should be immensely proud of your achievement.

“The ability to channel creativity into something imaginative and beneficial to society is a rare talent. I am sure these are just the first of many exciting achievements and inventions to come, and we look forward to seeing where your studies take you next."

Jeremy Miles MS, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, who attended the award ceremony, said: “I’m really pleased to present the Student Innovation Awards again this year. The high standards of entries are fine examples of what Wales can achieve through science, technology and innovation. The awards showcase the talent, the enthusiasm and the commitment of our young people across Wales.”