Young inventor’s camera idea makes waves

A South Shields school pupil’s eco-friendly invention has been brought to life after winning a renewable energy competition.

Ten-year-old Harris, a student at Sea View Primary School, created ‘Hi Fish’, a solar-powered floating camera designed to monitor fish numbers and coral reef health. 

His idea won South Tyneside Council and Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s Little Inventors competition, which challenges students to create sustainable innovations.

Harris said: “It was interesting to learn about the things being done in our seas and oceans. 

“Hi Fish is an environmentally friendly invention to help monitor coral reefs without needing batteries or diesel to power a lot of machinery.

“It’s important that when we sort out problems in the environment, we don’t make them worse or create other problems.”

North Star, a North Sea infrastructure support company and one of many local firms backing the Little Inventors competition, professionally designed and 3D-printed a model of Harris’ invention. 

Harris was invited to Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s operations base at Port of Tyne to see the final design and tour the Grampian Derwent, one of the Dogger Bank service vessels.

Steve Myers, operations director at North Star, added: “We were so impressed with Harris’ invention that we had to select it. 

“It’s fantastic to see this competition inspire such innovative and exciting ideas, while supercharging the interest of youngsters in the offshore renewables sector.” 

Councillor Margaret Meling, lead member for economic growth and transport for South Tyneside Council, added: “Harris’ invention shows touches of genius and it’s great to see these bright young minds engaged to combat the climate crisis.

“Little Inventors inspires children and is a way to build interest in the STEM subjects that are the foundation stones for careers in engineering.”

Six winning ideas, which can be viewed here, will be developed in collaboration with businesses, further inspiring future innovators to tackle climate and environmental challenges.

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