Schools have one last chance to enter their pupils’ science and engineering projects for the all-new KM Bright Spark Awards.

The deadline for submissions is noon this Friday, June 5.

Budding young scientists and engineers selected for the exciting competition final will have the chance to enter the dragons’ den and win top prizes.

Projects eligible for entry require a team of pupils to use any of the following skills: maths, IT, science, electronics, and design and technology. The three competition categories are Innovation, Investigation and Invention.

Finalists will be invited to an exciting dragons’ den-style event where they will describe their creation to a panel of ‘dragons’ in a bid to win trophies and other prizes. The overall winners will receive £500.

Tom Cole, CEO of Integrated Technologies Ltd, which is backing the event, said: “The KM Bright Spark Awards are a great way to help the next generation of entrepreneurs to turn that spark of an idea into a growing, thriving business.

“The judges will be from both industry and the academic arena and I encourage all schools and pupils to participate in this unique opportunity.”

Projects can be nominated by pupils, parents, teachers or other members of school staff. Simply complete the form at this link.

Entrants should include a photo of the group in action with their creation and can optionally include a link to a video detailing their project.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team, which is organising the event, said: "This is an exciting experience for young people and the chance to see what great work is going on in schools.”

He added: “We are impressed by the quantity and calibre of entries we’ve seen so far and hope there are even more fantastic submissions to come this week.”

Organisations backing the awards include the science faculty at the University of Kent, Betteridge & Milsom Ltd, Kent and Medway STEM, Discovery Park and Hectic Lifestyles.

• To find out more about becoming a dragon at the event contact Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752 or at sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk.