- Expressions of interest for the Minister's Innovation Challenge open today
- Up to 40 teams of Year 8 students will use design thinking processes to develop innovative solutions to local issues
- Students work with an industry mentor to help develop skills aligned with future career pathways
Schools across Western Australia are being encouraged to express their interest in joining the Minister's Innovation Challenge, which gives Year 8 public school students the chance to unleash their entrepreneurial skills.
Up to 40 public schools can participate in the six-week Challenge where students work alongside an industry mentor to identify a local solution or problem and apply design thinking processes to come up with innovative solutions.
The five top-ranked teams will share the $35,000 prize with winners to be announced by the Education Minister Sabine Winton in December.
Expressions of interest open for schools today and close on 19 August, with the Challenge set to start in the first week of Term 4.
The Challenge is coordinated by Bloom Centre for Youth Innovation a WA youth-led, non-profit organisation providing entrepreneurial programs to young people which delivers professional learning to teachers and assigns industry mentors to support participating schools.
Students will submit their innovation pitches by 20 November.
Coodanup College students won last year's top prize of $15,000 for their Hotdog Lead, featuring temperature-sensitive colour technology that provides a clear visual alert to warn owners when their dogs are overheating in hot weather.
Now in its fifth consecutive year, teachers report that the competition has helped students develop skills aligned with future career pathways, strengthen industry connections, build work-related capabilities and take greater ownership of their learning.
Schools are encouraged to nominate in the 2026 Minister's Innovation Challenge here: Minister's Innovation Challenge - Department of Education
Comments attributed to Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"As Education Minister and a former teacher, I know how important it is to give students opportunities to think critically and creatively.
"This Challenge encourages students to work collaboratively to tackle issues that matter to their local communities, while developing skills that will serve them well into the future.
"I want students to challenge themselves to think big and pursue innovative solutions that could have a lasting impact.
"I encourage public schools across WA to submit an expression of interest and give their Year 8 students the chance to be part of this exciting program."
