Brentwood School pupil is a winner in Big Bang Competition

Fourth Year Brentwood School pupil Alex was revealed as the winner of the intermediate science category in the finals of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition, for his project titled ‘Can A Computer Software Programme Alleviate The Symptoms Of OCD?’

Alex’s project was inspired by his search for a way to help a sufferer of OCD and he adapted an approach he had seen on a documentary where a team of scientists developed an app to tackle obesity.

He used programming software to create a personalised six-week programme that would expose his subject to his triggers and teach him not to respond physically to them.

Over 200 young people submitted projects to this year’s Big Bang Competition, an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people's achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as helping them build skills and confidence in project-based work.

Alex wins £750 in prize money to continue on his STEM journey as well as a trophy and certificate.

Previous winners have gone on to enjoy a range of other achievements on the back of their successes – including, getting backing from businesses for their projects, setting up their own businesses, taking part in conference presentations to industry professionals as well as appearing on the television and radio shows to talk about their projects.

Congratulating the winners, Dr Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, which organises The Big Bang Competition, said: "There is no denying that students have had to deal with a lot of disruption to their learning in recent months, and the quality of this year’s entries is a testament to their talent, dedication and creativity under these difficult circumstances.

"Huge congratulations to Alex whose innovative project has seen him awarded as the intermediate winner in the science category of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition.

"At a time when we could all use a big dose of optimism for the future, the inventiveness and skill we’ve seen in this year’s Big Bang Competition has been a reassuring and inspiring tonic for all those involved in the judging – so we’d like to extend a huge congratulations and heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated."