Ivanhoe College's STEAM show returned for the first time after the Covid pandemic - and featured a range of projects and ideas from the school's students.

It was the first time the event had been staged in two years - and was marking its fifth year in all.

The previous event took place just two weeks before the first Coronavirus lockdown, and staff were nervous about how many students would feel confident to take part after the break.

But the school says that, as ever, they "wowed us" with their ideas and presentations.

In five years, the College says it has never seen a project repeated, and the STEAM team of judges say they find it harder each year to choose a winner.

The event is sponsored by two high profile businesses.

Rolls Royce will be hosting an engineering workshop day for all of the winners - and BSI UK donated money that paid for trophies, goodie bags and Amazon vouchers for the winners, as well as blazer badges and certificates for all the students taking part.

The day's events included all of the entrants presenting to the whole of Year 7 throughout the day, as well as having to give a formal presentation to the judging panel.

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The day culminated with an evening celebration event where students presented to parents, staff, visitors from businesses as well as local dignitaries, Cllr Virge Richici, the Chairman of North West Leicestershire District Council, and Cllr Rita Manning, the Mayor of Ashby.

Paul Keenan from Rolls Royce explained why they have been sponsoring the event for four years and said: "It's so important for businesses to engage with students in this way.

"We can see in these students the curiosity and resilience we want in our future employees.

"They are the engineers, designers and project managers of the future.

"I've been blown away by the quality and variety of the projects, and I'm even taking some ideas from them."

Graham McKay from BSI added: "It's our pleasure to be able to sponsor the event, and in particular the Teamwork Award, as teamwork is what our business is all about, working together to solve problems.

"I'm also here as Chair of Governors at Ivanhoe College, and I couldn't be prouder of the work hard work I've seen from all of the students, and also from the staff involved who work to pull this event together."

Feedback from all the visitors was overwhelming. Cllr Rita Manning emailed the school to say: "Thank you so much for the invite to your 5th Steam show, Glyn and I were very impressed with the work the students had completed ,not only the ideas they had formed but the amount of work they had put in and the fact that they had understood what they were doing. I am sure these students will go on to great things"

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Congratulations to all of the students who took part, and in particular to Year 8 students Bridget and Phoebe who won The Best in Show Award with their science investigation 'Claw-some Catnip'.