- Expressions of interest now open for 2023 Minister's Innovation Challenge
- Up to 30 teams of year 8 students will develop innovative solutions to local problems
- Challenge is part of the Career Learning Toolkit, with participants to be supported by local industry mentors
Western Australian public school students will hone their leadership, design and critical thinking skills when the 2023 Minister's Innovation Challenge commences in term 4.
Education Minister Dr Tony Buti today announced that expressions of interest have opened for the challenge, which aims to better prepare year 8 students to lead and innovate as part of the Career Learning Toolkit.
Up to 30 teams of year 8 students will be selected to participate in the five-week challenge this year. This follows widespread interest last year, where 20 teams took part in the inaugural four-week challenge. The cash prize pool for the three top-ranked teams has also been increased from $6,000 to $10,000.
School staff can nominate a team of six to eight students in year 8 to participate in the challenge, which will be facilitated by Bloom Centre for Youth Innovation during term 4.
Each team will develop innovative solutions to local issues or problems, supported by their school and an industry mentor. Their final pitch will be showcased during an online exhibition and the three top-ranked school teams will each receive a cash prize for their school.
Last year's winner was Christmas Island District High School, whose students developed a mobile phone red-light filter to help turtle observers see turtles at night, without harming them.
Schools can register teams for the challenge until 21 August.
As stated by Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"This challenge provides an excellent opportunity for year 8 students to develop important skills and forms part of our commitment to deliver more career development opportunities in secondary schools.
"The challenge is aimed at better preparing students to lead through innovation in our changing world and give them a taste of exciting career options for the future.
"I look forward to seeing more schools participate in this year's challenge and seeing all of the creative solutions that are developed by the students with the valuable support of their industry mentors."
