Om Kuravinakop, a year 11 student at St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School in Orpington, was a winner at the Big Bang Competition.
This competition recognises young engineers, scientists, and technologists from across the UK.
Om created a portable air quality monitor for people with asthma.
This device tracks elements such as fine particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and humidity.
It syncs to a smartphone to help asthma sufferers assess potential risks, aiming to avert attacks.
Muhammad Shah, a year 13 student at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, was crowned UK Young Technologist of the Year 2025 for his creation, Icarus, an alternative telecommunications system designed for low-cost emergency communications in remote areas.
Inspired by his experiences in Kashmir, Muhammad’s project was motivated by a desire to prevent trekking-related accidents.
Muhammad said: “I’m delighted to have won this award, it means a lot.
“Coming from Kashmir, I really wanted to give something back to my community.
“I remember hearing news about different accidents of people trekking.
“I wanted to find a solution to help find ways to prevent those disasters from happening.”
His absence from the official awards ceremony due to A-Level exams led to a special presentation at his school’s design showcase on Thursday, June 26.
Another student from Queen Elizabeth’s School, Snehal Das, was recognised with the UCL Engineering Inclusive Design for a Fairer World Award for his Addition Toy.
The toy, created as part of his D&T GCSE project, helps children with learning difficulties and autism visually learn addition.
The Intellectual Property Office Innovation Award went to Aina Dyandra from Park View School, Haringey, for their Aerate project.
Motivated by research from the University of Cambridge, Aina designed a mask and badge that reduces and converts harmful particle matter to cleaner air for those in high-risk zones.
The Big Bang Competition also named several runners-up from London-based schools.
Dr Hilary Leevers, EngineeringUK chief executive, said: “Huge congratulations to all our winners, who have shown impressive creativity, knowledge and drive as they have worked on their projects.
“I hope they, and all the runners-up, are proud of their achievement.
“There are so many opportunities for them to continue with STEM in education and training and then in the workplace.
“I’m sure they have a bright future ahead.”
The competition’s winners and runners-up were announced at The Big Bang Fair, the UK’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) for young people, held at Birmingham’s NEC from June 17 to June 19.
The fair is organised by EngineeringUK and supported by organisations from the education and STEM sector, including major sponsor Rolls-Royce.
