By Sammie Jones-
Primary school children are being introduced to a competition aimed at familiarising them with the concept of intellectual property.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Aardman launched a new Wallace & Gromit ‘Cracking Ideas’ competition to children and groups between the ages of five to eleven.
Young inventors are required to design something that will make life better.
Applicants are being encouraged to take inspiration from Wallace & Gromit’s inventions. The techno trousers and the steam chair are two creations that made the duo’s lives better.
It will first be expected that all children who enter the competition are taught the meaning of intellectual property so that they understand it in a way they can both define and explain. The competition is also expected to teach young children the importance of receiving credit for their designs as inventors.
The winner’s invention will star in a brand new Wallace & Gromit digital project in 2020. They will also win an Aardman model-making workshop for their school or group.
Tim Moss, Chief Executive Officer of the IPO, said:
All around us there are objects created by clever inventors like Wallace & Gromit. Whether simple or high tech, these inventions make our world a better, safer, easier place in which to live.
Young people have the gift of imagination without limits. We’re excited to see what ‘cracking ideas’ the nation’s budding inventors can come up with for making life better. We want to show them how to get the credit they deserve for their ideas and creations.
That’s where intellectual property comes in.
Merlin Crossingham, Creative Director for Aardman, said:
We can’t wait for young people nationwide to start designing their inventions. We look forward to seeing their ideas for making life better, when they join Wallace & Gromit on their latest adventure.