Broader Programmes
11 February 2022
A national youth-led, youth-focused innovation prize encouraging innovators of the future, from diverse backgrounds, to develop game-changing innovations for real world problems
Running since 2014, the Longitude Explorer Prize is a competition that challenges teams of young people aged 11-16 across the UK to design, test and develop technological enterprises, ideas and innovations for social good.
The Longitude Explorer Prize typically runs for a year, taking small teams of up to six students through an ideation and prototyping process where they produce a prototype of an idea to solve a real-world problem.
Teams are supported along the process by:
The teams’ prototype ideas are then entered into a rigorous assessment and judging period with a high-profile judging panel and prize awards ceremony which all shortlisted schools are invited to. Winners are then rewarded with a financial incentive to further develop their ideas.
The Longitude Explorer Prize inspires hundreds of young people annually to see themselves as entrepreneurs, innovators and agents of social change and gives them a glimpse into a future where they are participants in the design of their world.
Comprehensive session plans to support teachers and youth group leaders to deliver the programme within the curriculum.
We work with partners to ensure we engage diverse young people across the UK, currently underrepresented in innovation.
Insight and support from real world technology and innovation business partners on the tough challenges to be solved.
The programme is designed around a deep understanding of the tech innovations which will shape the future.
We work with experiences partners in the tech, design and innovation industries to inform best practice with our young people.
1,792 young people have applied for LEP.
55% were female, 21% Black, Asian and minority ethnic and 8% identified as having a disability.
136 young people have progressed to the finalist stages of the prize, of whom 52% identify as female, 28% as Black, Asian and minority ethnic and 10% as having a disability.
43% of applications come from schools with high levels of Free School Meals.
The Longitude Explorer Prize receives entries from all regions and nations of the UK.
The UK is missing out on the talent of people who are currently underrepresented in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship.
A narrow subset of the population is generating ideas for us all which often are not made with us all in mind and do not meet the needs of everybody.
We need to engage with young people early on to address the diversity issue in the STEM talent pipeline.
The Problem:
Challenging young people to use technology to create an app, product or service to improve the world
Encouraged young people to develop a new generation of satellite applications for social good.
Challenged young people to develop innovative, practical solutions that use the Internet of Things to improve health and wellbeing of people.
Supported young entrepreneurs to change the world with AI enabled tech.
