News Students design products for Maidstone Museum shop
Products designed by Kent students from four Kent Primary and Secondary schools are now on sale in the Maidstone Museum shop.
Pupils entered a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style competition in the Spring to design a product that could be sold to the public, all winning entries have now been created and are available for anyone to buy.
All the pupils who entered received an award from The Mayor of Maidstone at a presentation evening.
Maidstone Museums’ Foundation ran the competition who received applications from 14 students aged between 10 to 13 years old. Many of the students visited the Museum to be inspired by the fantastic exhibits and to see the type of items already on sale in the shop. Once all the designs were submitted staff at the Museum had the difficult task of creating a shortlist of applicants who made it through to the finals.
At the end of June 11 groups of finalists and their prototypes went into Maidstone Museum for a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style presentation to a group of judges. The panel were looking at the innovation of the designs, how sustainable the design was, the practicality of the item and if the products were affordable.
Out of the 11 brilliant designs, four runners’ up and a first-place winner were picked.
Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Gordon Newton said:
“This whole competition celebrates the brilliant skills of our young people and it was a real honour to be able to present the awards. It truly is a really wonderful way to encourage a love of history and design in the next generation. The standard of the designs has been so high. A huge thank you to everyone who entered and a massive well done to the winning entries.”
One of the judges Guy MacDonald from Maidstone Museums’ Foundation Education Trustee added:
“We have been blown away by how high the standard has been of everyone who entered, astounded by the confidence of the presenters and by the innovation of their products. We felt quite honoured to be involved in this competition and see such original designs.”
First place has been awarded to Etty Winser, from Wrotham School, who created a museum exhibit themed, eco-friendly ruler. The runners up were Museum themed keyrings by Corey Walters from Wrotham School; Japanese inspired hair combs by Evie Little from Maidstone Grammar School for Girls; a Japanese themed storage box by Max Newby from Wrotham School and a Japanese inspired tote bag by Nkengbeza, Sonika, Diana and Hannah from Highsted Grammar School.
The school of the winning product receives £200 from Maidstone Museums’ Foundation and the school of each runner up receives £50.
Each winner has now produced ten items of their product which are on sale in the Museum shop.
The judging panel was made up of Guy MacDonald, Maidstone Museums’ Foundation Education Trustee; Alexandra Conn-White, Operations Supervisor and Ella Price Visitor Experience Officer both from Maidstone Museum.
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