Creative thinking, problem solving and innovation were on the agenda for local students at the sixth National Questacon Invention Convention held in Canberra from 18-22 January 2021.
Adam Schranz, 14 was one of 18 young innovators selected from Canberra and surrounding regions to participate in the week-long program.
“I got to meet people that I wouldn’t have met before if I didn’t come to this. I learnt new things, I have a whole new way of thinking of ideas because of the experience and advice that people have given me” Adam Schranz said.
The National Invention Convention was developed by Questacon for secondary students, providing them with the skills to turn their ideas into reality. The program was made possible through support from Principal Partner, The Ian Potter Foundation, along with funding from the Australian Government.
The Governor-General, His Excellency Governor-General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), attended the event and told delegates:
“You are talented, you have enormous potential and you have much to offer our great nation. Use the information and motivation you have gained from the week’s activities to propel you. There is much work to be done on many fronts and your efforts will go a long way to helping build a stronger Australia. The future is yours and we cannot wait to see what you make of it.”
“Delegates heard from innovation experts and local entrepreneurs who helped them develop their ideas into working prototypes based on this year’s theme, ‘Thrive,’ while under the guidance of Questacon facilitators and local industry professionals”, Questacon Senior Manager National Programs, Jared Wilkins said.
“Participants considered issues in their own communities to create inventions to improve the environment, infrastructure or wellbeing in the area. The inventions that tackled our theme were very diverse, ranging from bots that clean up space junk to apps designed to incentivise personal finance goals.”
“The young entrepreneurs also developed their networking and communication skills, providing them with the knowledge to pitch their ideas to future collaborators and the media.”
“Australia’s future as a knowledge economy depends on emerging generations being engaged with STEM and enterprise skills, so it was inspiring to watch these young inventors develop those skills throughout the program,” said Mr Wilkins.
The 5-day workshop culminated in an event where delegates presented their prototypes and shared their solutions to current challenges or situations that we may face in the future.
After the National Invention Convention, delegates are encouraged to continue developing their skills through maker spaces, coding clubs, or even tinkering in their own backyard. These local change-makers will have the opportunity to build active networks with Questacon, the broader National Invention Convention alumni network and their communities.
Media contact: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre | 0468 516 411 or communications@questacon.edu.au
