Hundreds of Territory teenagers flocked to the Darwin Convention Centre on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 December 2021 for a day of fun and learning at the inaugural Innovation Zone.
The Innovation Zone provided a fun and inspiring two days of learning to encourage Territory teens to pursue innovation, entrepreneurship and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to better equip themselves with future workforce skills.
Over 325 students from eight schools from around Darwin and Palmerston participated in workshops from design thinking to video games to 3D modelling, VR / AR experiences to geo-sensing technology, eSports tournaments to LEGO for creative thinking. Initial survey results indicate that students and teachers found the workshops and activities engaging and enjoyable.
"It was a good event, our year 9 students thoroughly enjoyed it."
Students also had the opportunity to explore a variety of innovative career fields throughout the event with Engineers Australia, Questacon, NT Farmers, Code Club and many more participating in the Innovation Career Zone. The pop up expo, highlighted the future of work through an interactive digital quiz where students had to interact with stalls and their staff to answer questions for the chance to win prizes. Industry participants really enjoyed the enthusiasm shown by so many students.... asking:
"Can we please have more of this!!!"
Following the school sessions, two Innovation Zone Design Challenges where open in the evening for the general public. Participants from as young as eight years old where supported by experienced facilitators from Young Change Agents and given the chance to work with industry mentors to develop a business idea with social impact. Eleven year old Matilda said:
"It was really good, it made me think about different ways to solve problems that people really care about."
The event launched an exciting new partnership between Young Change Agents and the Territory Government. The partnership aims to:
- develop our next generation of entrepreneurial innovators in the Territory
- equip local youth with the mindset, skillset and toolset to create a positive impact in their communities, and
- provide meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with business and industry to explore entrepreneurship and innovation-related pathways for their future.
If you would like to know about more events like these, join the Youth Innovation Network.