Waker-Upper is top invention
A machine to keep people awake when they are tired or bored has won the first Cracking Ideas competition organised to encourage innovation among children.
Nine and ten-year-olds at East Allington Primary School in Devon came up with the Waker-Upper 3000 as part of lessons linked to the National Curriculum that were designed to encourage a culture of innovation.
The machine uses a mallet, headphones, a water jet and eyelid openers to keep people awake when they're bored or tired.
The Cracking Ideas contest, which was open to all UK primary schools, was judged by Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park.
Innovation Minister Lord Triesman said:
"We are encouraging an innovation culture in the UK and Cracking Ideas is a great way to start this process."
