College competition encourages school pupils to protect our planet

City of Glasgow College’s hugely successful jewellery design competition is back for a second year.

Following Glasgow’s COP26, the college’s creative industries faculty are once again challenging secondary school pupils right across Scotland to design a pendant that reflects the climate emergency.

Lisa McGovern, Curriculum Head for Craft and Design at City of Glasgow College, said:

“We had over 300 entries for the 2021 competition. To have so many young people actively think about their planet and their future, and channel their ideas in such a creative way, shows there is real hope. We are really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries.

“One aim of this competition is to generate an interest in jewellery making specifically, and craft and design in general. However, it’s also to raise awareness of sustainability in making, an essential element of our curriculum design which plays a big part in our college’s ongoing commitment to achieving net zero by 2040.

“We’re encouraging young people to harness their imagination and creativity, and use the impact of climate change as the basis for their ideas. Their design can be contemporary or traditional in style and should be presented as a drawing, either by hand or on computer.”

Last year’s two winners were Mirin Scott from Carluke High and Grace Anderson from Blairgowrie High. Grace took first place for S4-S6 with her pendant underlining the urgency of time, while Mirin won the S1-S3 category for her design which highlighted bees becoming endangered.

This year’s winning design will again be 3D printed in the college’s workshops (Covid restrictions permitting) and cast using recycled silver by Vipa Designs. Second and third runners-up will receive personalised certificates and there will also be a highly commended certification.

The competition is open to anyone under the age of 18 and still at school in Scotland. The two categories are S1-S3 and S4-S6. Entries must be submitted by Friday 18 February 2022, and further details are available on the competition webpage.