Glasgow pupil named amongst TIME’s ladies of the yr

A Glasgow college pupil has been named amongst TIME journal’s ladies of the yr for creating a tool to assist the homeless.

Rebecca Young, 12, designed a solar-powered backpack with an electrical blanket inside, an thought engineering agency Thales then was actuality.

The Kelvinside Academy pupil is now amongst 10 ladies from the world over chosen by TIME who’ve impressed and helped communities.

She instructed BBC Scotland News that she was shocked and honoured by the popularity, which has additionally seen her was a LEGO mini-figure, as a result of awards being run in partnership with the Danish toy manufacturer.

Rebecca first got here up with the thought whereas attending an engineering membership in school.

She defined: “Seeing all the homeless people, it made me want to help – it’s a problem that should be fixed.

“During the day, the warmth from the solar can energise the photo voltaic panels and so they go right into a battery pack that may retailer the warmth. When it is chilly at evening folks can use the vitality saved within the battery pack to sleep on.

“In Glasgow it can be freezing at night and so they [homeless people] can have no energy, so I assumed the photo voltaic panel might warmth it.”

Rebecca’s thought got here out on prime within the UK Primary Engineer competitors, the place greater than 70,000 pupils entered concepts aimed round addressing a social concern.

Engineering firm Thales then turned the thought right into a working prototype, with 30 items given to a Glasgow homeless shelter to make use of.

That achievement led Rebecca to a spot on TIME’s checklist, which the journal’s CEO Jessica Sibley stated highlights “those who are turning imagination into real-world impact”.

Rebecca’s mum Louise instructed BBC Scotland News: “I couldn’t be more proud, it’s fantastic. It’s obviously all come from a drawing and going from that to it actually being made is amazing.”

As a part of the honour, Rebecca and the opposite 9 winners are showing on a digital cowl of the well-known journal, the place they’re styled as Lego mini-figures – one thing the 12-year-old stated was each “really cool and crazy”.

She additionally had recommendation for every other ladies who needed to become involved in STEM topics, which means science, know-how, engineering and arithmetic.

Rebecca stated: “If you have an idea like I did, then join clubs and talk to people about it, it helps.”

Reflecting on the TIME journal recognition, she added: “All my friends think it’s awesome.”

STEM industries are stereotypically associated with boys, and initiatives like Lego’s She Built That are designed to encourage participation from ladies.

Julia Goldin, LEGO’s chief product and advertising officer, stated: “TIME’s Girls of the Year is a step in giving the next generation the role models they deserve, recognizing young women globally who are not just imagining a better world but actively creating it.

“Together with TIME we hope these tales will encourage a future technology of unstoppable feminine builders to dream large and proceed making their mark on the world.”