27 November 2024
Halls Head students who designed a purpose-built “house on wheels” have taken out the Minister’s Innovation Challenge for 2024.
The team from Halls Head College was one of 40 who participated in the Minister’s Innovation Challenge this year.
The annual challenge tasks students to develop creative solutions to real-world problems.
Halls Head College took out first prize in the Minister's Innovation Challenge 2024.
The winning team won this year’s top prize of $15,000 for their idea to support people without a home.
Students designed a Freedom Cart which is waterproof, features an insulated area for food storage, has a retractable lock, and fits on public transport and through regular doorways.
Exmouth District High School students took out the $10,000 second prize for their plan to reduce environmental issues caused by fish waste.
Instead of going to landfill bins, a waste management system would grind, freeze and turn cut-offs into a fish-based fertiliser or burley, which is a product used to attract more fish.
The $5,000 third prize was awarded to Ballajura Community College students for their solution to an ongoing issue with charging devices.
The team’s idea for a solar-powered charging station allowed students to charge devices during breaktimes and reduced interruptions to learning.
Esperance Senior High School students won the fourth prize of $3,000 for their campaign to raise awareness about the risks of coastal rocks.
The team’s plan involved using augmented reality to inform locals and tourists that while black algae on coastal rocks appears harmless, it can be deadly when wet.
The fifth prize winner was Lesmurdie Senior High School, receiving $2,000 for a device that protects trees in the local community from the spread of dieback caused by bicycles.
The Dieback Decimator disinfects bikes from dieback traces and provides a way for cyclists to clean their tyres before leaving the area.
The challenge was facilitated by Bloom: The Centre for Youth Innovation.