16-Year-Old Builds Life-Saving Medical Drone, Wins Prestigious UK Engineering Scholarship

At just 16 years old, Kande Sill won the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship in the UK for designing an innovative medical drone delivery system, showcasing her talent not only in engineering but also as a published author, youth leader, and international representative.

Kande Sill, a 16-year-old engineering prodigy in the UK, has been awarded the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship after designing a groundbreaking medical drone delivery system tailored for use in disaster zones and remote areas.

Operating under the pseudonym Kande S. Summers, she is a student at a University Technical College in the UK. For her school project titled “Enhancing Medical Delivery,” Kande focused not on building the drone itself, but on reimagining the way medical supplies are transported—developing a secure, insulated delivery mechanism that ensures safe drop-off and retrieval while maintaining supply quality.

“I worked on the delivery systems—specifically how medical supplies could be lowered safely from drones and retrieved without compromising quality,” she explained.

Kande’s journey into engineering wasn’t immediate. Initially indifferent to the field, she was encouraged by her parents to explore STEM education. That push led her to discover a passion for engineering.

“I never really had much of a directed interest in engineering before this,” she said in an interview. “But when my parents suggested I try a STEM-focused school, I realized I really enjoy learning about engineering.”

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship recognizes high-achieving young students with leadership potential in engineering. Kande’s innovative approach to solving real-world problems helped her stand out among many talented applicants. Her mentor, Vern Brown, praised her impact:

“Kande brings a rare mix of creativity, technical knowledge and compassion. She’s not just an engineer in the making—she’s already leading by example.”

Beyond engineering, Kande is also a multi-talented writer and youth leader. She has authored three books, spoken at the Emirates Literature Festival, represented Jamaica at Expo 2020 Dubai, and participated in the UN Model Conference in Abu Dhabi. She is a multiple-time Black Excellence Youth Award winner and serves as a Youth Ambassador for the Look Like Me Book Challenge in London. She also contributed to Raised Voices, a BBC-funded anthology for young writers.

“I think being in the right environment made all the difference,” Kande reflected. “It opened my eyes to what engineering can really do—not just in theory, but in changing lives.”

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION