Archive · 15 Dec 2025
12-Year-Old Invents Solar-Powered Blanket for Homeless
Rebecca Young is a 12-year-old girl from Scotland who invented a special blanket that uses the sun's power to keep homeless people warm at night.
The blanket can be folded into a backpack, making it easy to carry.
Her invention won a big competition with over 70,000 entries.
Some of these blankets have already been given to homeless people through local charities.
Rebecca's story is inspiring others, especially in schools, to come up with their own ideas to help solve problems in society.
She was also named one of Time Magazine's Girls of the Year, showing that young people can make a big difference.
Rebecca Young, a 12-year-old from Glasgow, Scotland, invented a solar-powered blanket for the homeless.
The blanket unfolds from a backpack and provides warmth and comfort to those in need.
Her invention won the Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal competition, which had over 70,000 entries.
Prototypes of the solar-powered blankets have been distributed through local charities.
Rebecca's work has inspired schools to feature her story in their STEM programs, encouraging young innovators.
- Who
- Rebecca Young, a 12-year-old from Glasgow, Scotland
- What
- Designed a solar-powered blanket for the homeless
- When
- Recently, specific date not mentioned
- Where
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Why
- To help homeless people survive freezing nights and provide comfort and dignity
- Inventor
- Rebecca Young
- Age
- 12 years old
- Location
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Invention
- Solar-powered blanket
- Competition
- Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal
- Entries
- Over 70,000
- Recognition
- Time Magazine's Girls of the Year