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“Inventing the Future”: Students develop innovative solutions for sustainable urban mobility

Brussels, 07 May 2019

Students from the Louis Armand high school in Eaubonne, close to Paris, presented a “Revolutionary transportation system” to tackle traffic disruption, congestion and pollution during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. The project included a very comprehensive transportation plan combining a sky train network, solar panels and autonomous buses.

Their innovative idea was awarded the first prize by an international jury of experts at the European Business Summit on 6 and 7 of May in Brussels, in the context of the European final event of “Inventing the Future", an initiative of JA Europe and the Arconic Foundation, focused on entrepreneurship and STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). The other three finalists in the competition included teams from Germany, Hungary and the UK.


“We are so happy and proud to have won this year’s Inventing the Future challenge! We didn’t expect it at all!
said Lauryn, Léa, Mélila, Mariem, Assia and Théo. Through this experience, we have learnt a lot about today’s challenges in transportation and sustainability, but also about team work, creative thinking and public speaking. All these new skills will help us so much in the future!”

“It is truly inspiring to engage with young students and impressive to observe their passion, skills and teamwork to tackle a major societal challenge like that of sustainable urban mobility” commented Francesca Stevens, Arconic’s Director Government Affairs and Business Development. “At Arconic, we look forward to continuing our Arconic Foundation partnership with JA Europe and further engaging with young Europeans on the future of manufacturing”.

Over the last 24 months, “Inventing the Future” involved 600 young people from over 20 schools. They were supported by 80 Arconic volunteers in some of Arconic’s main European markets. 

The project included classroom visits from Arconic subject matter experts to give students an unprecedented view of the spectrum of STEM careers available to them and an innovation camp to work together on different STEM-related challenges and develop their innovation skills. The activities under this initiative have a special focus on the next generation of materials and how this material innovation will influence the manufacturing industry and societal challenges such as urban mobility in the next decade. 

As there is a rapid shift taking place in manufacturing from automation to digitalization of information and a skills shortage has been identified by manufacturers globally, Arconic, the Arconic Foundation and JA Europe strive to encourage more young people to pursue STEM careers or start businesses in these fields, recognizing that manufacturing competitiveness and the future of opportunities lie at the crossroads between STEM skills, innovation and new businesses.

“Congratulations to team France as well as all the Arconic volunteers who have been on the side of all the participants of “Inventing the Future”. We are very grateful to Arconic Foundation for our cooperation over the last two years, and look forward to continuing spreading the values of entrepreneurship and encouraging young Europeans to pursue STEM careers”, says Caroline Jenner, CEO of JA Europe.

Inventing the Future European Final

View photo gallery HERE

 
About JA Europe
JA Europe is the largest non-profit in Europe dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship. JA Europe is a member of JA Worldwide, which for 100 years has delivered hands on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. JA creates pathways for employability, job creation and financial success. 
Last school year, the JA network in Europe reached more than 4 million young people across 40 countries with the support of 140,000 business volunteers and 130,000 teachers/educators. www.jaeurope.org 


About Arconic and Arconic Foundation
As the charitable arm of Arconic – a global technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing leader - Arconic Foundation supports programs that help prepare the 21st century engineering and advanced manufacturing workforce. Through collaboration with our nonprofit partners, our initiatives make quality STEM education opportunities available to students; support engineering and technical skills training through community colleges, vocational technical schools and universities around the world; and help to create access for underrepresented individuals to the STEM fields. For more information, visit www.ArconicFoundation.com , www.arconic.com and follow us on social media.

For more information, please contact:
Sophie Norman
Policy & Communications, JA Europe
sophie@jaeurope.org

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