Innovation Awards 2025

A look at the 2025 Innovation Awards Ceremony

Wales' brightest young inventors were recognised for their creative ideas at our 25th annual Innovation Awards. Held in Cardiff Bay on 18 December at the Pierhead building, the ceremony celebrated Welsh design and technology while recognising the achievements of the next generation of innovators.

In parallel to previous years, the 25th Innovation Awards were developed in collaboration with Welsh Government to encourage young people in Wales to be technologically innovative and appreciate the importance of design and technology. It was also a reflection on the legacy of Welsh inventors and acknowledges their contributions.

Images from the event are available to view here.

“The Innovation Awards are one of the most significant events in our calendar, and it is a real privilege to showcase the remarkable talent emerging from schools across Wales. The standard of creativity, problem-solving and technical skill on display this year has been exceptional.

“I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone who entered, and especially to our winners. The commitment, imagination and effort behind these projects is genuinely inspiring.

“As Wales looks to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive world, the role of design and technology will only grow in importance. The ideas we have seen in these awards show just how bright the future is, and I am excited to see where these young innovators take their talents next.” - Ian Morgan, Chief Executive, WJEC

2025 Award Winners

A Level

1st – Huw Davies, Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi

2nd – Dylan Draper, St John Baptist Church in Wales High School

3rd – Madison Burgess, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern

AS Level

1st – Lewis Barnes, Brynteg Comprehensive School

2nd – Gruffudd Thomas, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern

3rd – Lucy Moyes, Ysgol Bro Pedr

GCSE

1st – Henry Farr, Welshpool High School

2nd – Glesni Rees, Ysgol Bro Pedr

3rd – Matthew Evans, Ysgol Bro Preseli

Other Awards

Creativity Prize – Mari Lois Williams, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Pwllheli

Intellectual Property Prize – Tegid Harper, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern

Science Prize – Alfie Smith, Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School

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“I've made an acceleration tracker for sprinters. It basically uses a reel coming from the back of the starting blocks. It also uses a speaker to start the athletes off, and then when they start, it tracks the acceleration on an app that I designed on the coach's or user's phone. I'm a sprinter myself, so I was sort of inspired from problems that I come across in daily training life. Winning this award is a real boost.

It's going to help with applications for university, and it motivates me with my A-level projects. I'd like to thank my D&T teacher, Mr Harper, and my parents. That's where the ideas come from and all the help.” - Lewis Barnes, Brynteg Comprehensive
School, Overall Winner.