Pupils from across Tayside represented their schools at a design jam by creating solutions to tackle loneliness and isolation.
Almost 100 entries from S1 and S2 pupils were entered into the V&A museum’s second School Design Challenge.
Schools from across Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and the Highlands submitted entries from subject areas as diverse as computing, science, technology and engineering.
A judging panel selected 17 teams to take part in a design jam with the support of professional designers and V&A Dundee staff, in which they created a prototype of their design solution.
Aqsa Khan, 12, was part of the creative team at Morgan Academy in Dundee, who were selected to present their ideas.
The group’s solution was to create an interactive cube that was a mix between a “Tamagotchi and a magic 8-ball” that could be used as a friend for people who are experiencing loneliness.
Aqsa said: “When you’re going through something like bullying or feeling sad, you can share your feelings.
“If there is something serious it would alert a parent who could help.
“Family members and friends will receive alerts on an app when something is wrong and they can send compliments and support. People who are feeling lonely might not want to talk in person so it’s a way around that.”
A group of Arbroath High School pupils created a leaflet advertising their app idea called Lonely No More Club (LNMC).
Keira Beattie, 12, said the aim was to “change fear to cheer”.
She said: “We started off with a leaflet which had details about an app where you would input your mood anonymously.
“When you said how you were feeling the app would offer tips on what to do to help. If you were sad it would suggest going to the relaxation room and if you were happy it might suggest something fun like art.
“Sometimes are or music could be suggested to cheer them up if that’s what they needed.”
The completed designs will be displayed in the museum in the summer.
Chris Lewis, Schools Development Officer at V&A Dundee, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the number and quality of entries received for our second Schools Design Challenge, with nearly 100 teams entering different ideas for addressing the serious problems of loneliness and isolation in schools.
“The creativity of our school pupils is remarkable, and he design jam will give 17 teams from Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and the Highlands the chance to develop their ideas further with the support of professional designers.”
The first design challenge ran from 2015-2016 and was a key part of the V&A pre-opening programme.
