Teacher awarded for transforming plastic waste into possibility

Neston High School’s Pat Link has won the James Dyson Foundation’s Excellence Award, which recognises outstanding design and technology (D&T) teachers, for his and the school’s pioneering Makerspace project that turned plastic waste into purpose.

Pat, the lead engineering teacher, says that innovation isn’t confined to textbooks. Students build, test, and reimagine it every day in the school’s thriving Makerspace.

Under his leadership, students are transforming discarded plastics into sustainable products. They are building their own recycling machines, and earning national recognition for creativity, conservation and STEM excellence.

In just eight years, the Makerspace team has recycled over 800,000 plastic bottle tops, turning waste into wonder through engineering ingenuity. Their work has reshaped how students see design, materials, and sustainability, positioning Neston as a model for hands-on STEM education.

What started as a small corner with hand tools and scrap materials has evolved into a fully equipped hub. It now consists of with 3D printers, electronic workstations, fabrication tools, and custom-built recycling machines. Students design in CAD, solder circuits, code microcontrollers, and manufacture real-world solutions.  This hands-on approach ensures that STEM education is tangible, relevant and engaging for all.

Supporting this work is Colin Cooper, a fabrication expert and technician. His technical expertise ensures that every ambitious idea becomes a reality.

The students experiment with colouring and blending recycled materials to create unique textures and patterns in their projects. This allows for creativity in design while learning the chemical and mechanical properties of different plastics.

School events and community fairs showcase many of the Makerspace’s products, from keychains to planters. They highlight the potential of upcycled materials.

Seasonal challenges have included designing a solar-powered recycling robot or creating a public art installation from plastic waste. It encourages creativity and problem-solving while fostering teamwork and communication.