PBL Enterprise Challenge Teams Prepare for Final

0 min read

23 September 2024

Students from Bangor Campus at Enterprise Challenge

The A Team from Downpatrick Campus Demi Rice, Christina Wilson, Jessie Weir, Niamh O’Baoill, Isabella Chung. Level 2 Traineeship in Applied Science students Celine Crothers , Grace Lockhart, Nina McGlone, and Kai Baker from Lisburn Campus

To say it was a difficult task is a bit of an understatement.   But the judges at our PBL Expo Challenge events have whittled 470 projects - involving 3,017 students from across SERC - down to just 10 finalists.

The Dragon’s Den-style Enterprise Final will be hosted at Bangor Campus on Wednesday 25 September - for everyone to watch and support the teams as they pitch their ideas to our expert panel.

Watch live: PBL Enterprise Challenge Finals 2024 - YouTube

We wish each and every member of all the finalist teams the very best of luck for the final:  

Eco-Heat - Get ready to explore a new era in house heating technology that is set to enhance comfort, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in our daily lives.
Medibeet - A revolutionary way to diagnose infection using beetroot. EcoAI - Using the power of AI to help reduce waste and enhance recycling.
Listening Ear 360 - Partnering with Listening Ear charity, this series of videos increases inclusivity by highlighting the thoughts and feelings a new student may have when first entering the college.
Kinetic Floor - Using the energy of a footstep to generate electricity and produce clean power.
Thee Thinking Club - A new approach to filtering rainwater into clean drinking water.
Sweet Treats are made of Dreams - An innovative take on the traditional ice cream cone using local quality ingredients.
Pigeon Pals - A digital hub for those who want a career in creative media and need help finding their place in the industry.
The Spires - Innovative public art works in response to the history of Bangor, its people, buildings, cultural or religious heritage, sparking curiosity and conversations leaving a lasting impression on both residents and visitors.
Re-Paper - Repurposing office paper waste to make unique handmade products while reducing environmental impact of paper production.


The Final Judging Panel:Katie Matthews, founder of Mind Tribe UK, multi-award-winning entrepreneur, growth mindset educator, speaker, founder, mentor, trauma-informed practitioner and mental health and well-being trainer; Robert Ashe, managing director of Ireland's Home Interiors and Living magazine; and Carly Anderson, property developer who runs social media account Flippin' Belfast.

The level of creativity, innovation, and dedication from all the participants in this years’ PBL Expo has been truly inspiring. So, if you are one of the 3,017 students who got a little out of your comfort zone, found yourself delegated to team captain or spokesperson, discovered a new passion with some like-minded people in your course or another, give yourself a pat on the back and remember that this is just the start.

"There is no such thing as a quantum leap.  
There is only dogged persistence –
and in the end you make it look like a quantum leap." 

James Dyson