Europe is facing an insufficient number of suitably qualified university graduates in the STEM subjects, due to an insufficient number of students choosing to study these subjects and high dropout rates [Eurydice, 2011]. Furthermore, school-age students show a lack of understanding of the value of mathematics, and its potential use for solving real-life problems [Boaler, 2011]. We have been running an innovative talent programme, which gives teams of school students the opportunity to study open-ended and unstructured truly interdisciplinary problems. We present results, which show a remarkable increase in understanding of the students' appreciation of the value of mathematics. We believe such a programme not only teaches students the value of mathematics but will also aid their transition from school to university.