An innovative ‘Bunny Dome’ A-level project landed former Trent College student, Jess Storey, a hugely-prestigious 
Young Engineer for Britain Award at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair 2013 at ExCeL London last week.
18-year-old Jess who completed her A Level studies last summer, was the overall winner of the 'Award for Marketability' prize for her Geodesic Rabbit Hutch, awarded from over 200 projects that made it through to the National Finals from thousands of entrants across the UK.
With judges including Stephen Timms MP and celebrated engineer, Lord Alec Broers, Jess’ Bunny Dome was showcased to over 65,000 visitors over the four days of the Fair, which, as part of the National Science and Engineering Week, has grown to become one of the largest celebrations of Science and Engineering for young people in the country.
The hutch is a contemporary take on the traditional product and based around the work of legendary American designer and inventor, Buckminster Fuller, who developed the geodesic dome idea.
The Bunny Dome is supplied as a flat-pack to reduce transportation costs and is constructed from durable foamed PVC, which is wipe-clean and both rabbit and rot-proof.
This produces a novel, durable and customisable product, which is easy to clean and maintain. The hutch contains a perimeter rabbit run and separate sleeping area. It has an easy access front door and rear ventilation and cleaning access.
Jess also scaled the concept down to produce a polypropylene laser cut vet transportation box to extend the project.
Jess, now studying Chemical and Materials Engineering at Leeds University, devised the Bunny Dome and entered the National Science and Engineering Competition while studying for A-levels in D&T, Maths and Physics here at Trent College last year.
Jess progressed through to the National finals after claiming first place in the 16-18 years Engineering Category, being named Regional Winner of the Young Engineer For Britain Award and taking the Merchant Adventurer’s Prize for the most Creative Project at the regional round, which took place at the Yorkshire Air Museum last July.
Mr James Prince, Jess’ Design and Technology teacher, said: “Jess has produced a creative and contemporary solution to a traditional design problem. She has an excellent grasp of mathematics and materials and has combined both areas well in her concept for the Bunny Dome.
She has been a great ambassador for the subject and I hope she inspires other young people to consider a career in Engineering.”
The National Science and Engineering Competition is open to all 11-18 year olds living in the UK and in full-time education. It aims to recognise and reward young people's achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).