Some of the most creative young minds in Ashby were on show as Ivanhoe School held its seventh STEAM Show event last week. 

This annual event, in a competition format, gives students across all year groups and working at all abilities to showcase a project completely of their choosing. 

Working either in a small team or on their own students work in their own time to research, investigate, experiment, or create, a complete project to be presented to their peers, local businesses and the judges. 

A record 69 students took part in the event which was more than expected.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. 

Unlike many schools that focus only on STEM, the inclusion of arts and design at Ivanhoe adds an additional component, which the school's business links says is an important aspect of the creativity they look for in the changing employment market.

Charlotte and Ellie, with their 'Investi-cakes' project which won the Best in Show award

Ivanhoe Subject Leader Russell Thornewill told Ashby Nub News: "The students have been incredibly inventive and expressive - this is a legacy project.

"It's like a 'big match' for students who perhaps aren't sports minded for example.

"Other schools locally don't have anything like this. We make it a bit competitive as well, as it's actually an inter-house competitio. So they're not just doing it for the prestigious award, they're doing it to represent their house. 

"This is their big chance to show the world how amazing they are, that's what drives them, it's creating an event for people with a science or an engineering mind."

Organiser, Dawn Dawn Deacon added: "They're all completely the students' own ideas and they work independently.

Rhys Hart and Harry Booton with their Combat Medicine exhibit

"But I had a contact with Rolls Royce and I asked them if they'd be interested in getting involved.

"They sponsor our Best in Show award and put on an away day and tour of the Rolls Royce factory. But then we've also attracted others to get involved such as Amazon.

"We have all sorts from people creating their own video games, to starting their own businesses, to a group looking at the history of Jack the Ripper."

Ivanhoe student, Harry Booton, was taking part in his fourth STEAM event, the most by anyone at the school.

With Rhys Hart, his exhibit focused on the history of combat medicine.

Henry said: "I've done everything from what makes rockets go, to how to make recycling more fun - and ejector seats. It's been very varied.

"This is fantastic opportunity for students to connect, get together and research whatever they want.

"I've seen people make working cars out of plastic bottles. STEAM at Ivanhoe is unlike anything else in terms of creativity.

"The creativity in this room would rival any science fair you'd go to in the world.

"It's just the sheer variety - because the students are told: 'There's no limit'. It allows a lot of wiggle room.

"Ivanhoe have added A, for Arts, to STEM means it's something for every kid at the school."

The Award Winners were:

• Science Award - Sponsored by Inizio Engage (previously called Ashfield Helathcare): Sasha and Hannah with their project about the impacts of smoking and vaping.
• Computing, IT and Enterprise Award: Amy, Jace and Ronan who developed an online game using Scratch.
• Design Award - Sponsored by Terex UK: Flo and Matt with a project about the design and maintenance of terrariums.
• Creative Arts Award: Emilia, Eva-Joan and Sophie with a project about dinosaurs featuring amazing hand-drawn artworks
• Visual Impact Award: Isla, Jessica and Seren with a striking display accompanying their research into how modern crime solving methods might have caught Jack the Ripper.
• Innovator Award - Sponsored by SMB College Group: Connie with a project investigating the effect of PH levels on plant growth. 
• Team Work Award - Sponsored by Bott Ltd: Ashleigh, Charley and Robyn with a project all about the workings of the heart.
• Best in Show Award - Sponsored by Rolls Royce: Charlotte and Ellie impressed with their 'Investi-cakes' project which took us on a journey from a science investigation about raising agents and cake recipes all the way through to a fully calculated business plan including costings, packaging and logos.

On the day, students spent the morning setting up their stalls and completing the finishing touches to their displays, as well as taking a chance to practice their presentations. 

After break all of Year 7 had the opportunity to visit the show and interact with the competitors; taking part in an online quiz, asking questions about the projects and even having a go at some of the interactive exhibits.

Isla, Jessica and Seren with a striking display accompanying their research into how modern crime solving methods might have caught Jack the Ripper

The evening celebration event is what makes the Ivanhoe STEAM Show special. Students have the amazing chance to present and converse with representatives from a range of businesses, local dignitaries such as the Ashby Mayor, Councillor Avril Wilson, alongside members of the district and town council about their projects. 

In addition there is an open invitation to families and school staff to share in the success of the students' hard work.

This year, a number of businesses wanted to further involve themselves with the show by offering sponsorship, allowing the school to offer fantastic prizes to the students - with Amazon the overall show sponsors. 

The award winners will all be treated to a visit to Rolls Royce's head office in Derby in June as part of the prestigious compamy's longstanding partnership with the event.

A spokesperson for Ivanhoe School said: "Feedback from the visitors has been overwhelming with heaps of praise for the students and amazement at the huge range of projects. 

"They clearly demonstrated their passions and, as a school we couldn't be more proud of the students, whose amazing projects showcased their hardworking attitudes, ingenuity and oracy skills."