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Supporting the young innovators of tomorrow in pursuit of something greater!
What’s it all about?
“Schools need to prepare us for our future.” - Cooper 14 years old, Geraldton WA.
Our students are eco-literate. Climate Change Education (UNESCO) has been woven into the curriculum for the past 20 years. However, feedback from students, as evidenced by Cooper’s statement above, informs us that warnings of global warming and natural disasters are insufficient preparation for a challenging future. NextGen Entrepreneurs guides our students from identifying a problem, to becoming engaged, enabled, and empowered innovators. With confidence they can contribute to a Carbon Zero Future.
NextGen teaches social and environmental solution thinking while refining STEM understandings & knowledge, with design skills and strategies. Together with sustainable industry and aligned partners, students will meet the challenge of giving form to ideas to co-create a Carbon Zero Future.
Students can take part in our NextGen Entrepreneurs program as part of a class project utilising our education package or individually by attending (or watching) our afterschool workshops.
Important Dates 2023
30 Sept Competition Launch, 9-11am Blue Heelers Square
2 October Submissions Open ~ Weekday ~ 9am -2pm~ Drop In
16 October 1st Workshop – Ideas Bank - Pollinators with Mike Panter
23 October 2nd Workshop – Ideas Bank with a Guest Speaker
30 October Competition entries close
3 November Finalists Announced
13 November 3rd Workshop – Finalists - Pitch Perfect
20 November 4th Workshop – Finalists - Pitch Perfect with a Guest Speaker
23 November Finalists Final Submissions submitted
27 November Pitch Night at Pollinators 4.30pm - 8pm
Education Package
The NextGen program is flexible to suit your context. The open-ended tasks give scope for extension and differentiation. The lesson plans and assessment opportunities are aligned with the West Australian Curriculum, and offer best teaching and learning practices to guide students through the process of developing an innovative idea from inception to pitch.
Competition
All participants are invited to submit their innovative new idea for a Carbon Zero Future, as a poster or video into the competition. Finalists from each age category will be given additional training and support to develop their pitches which will be given to a panel of judges at our pitch night event.
Eligibility:
The competition is open to students in Greater Geraldton from school years 5-10.
Prizes:
$500 - Major Prize $250 - Runner Up
There are 3 age categories, Year 5+6, Year 7+8, Year 9+10
Workshops
Workshops will be held at Pollinators City Hive 184 Marine Tce Geraldton The workshops guide students through the design thinking process to help them to define the problem that they want to solve. Check out the workshop videos from 2021.
FAQs
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Send, email or drop off your completed Entry Form and Poster (or video) to CityHive before the closing date.
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Sorry but no.
Why? Because as part of this program we want to teach kids the process of Design Thinking. An import part of that process is learning how to go from 100’s of amazing ideas to one fantastic solution.
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Ideas can be totally new and novel designs, an improvement on an existing design, a new application of existing technology, a new app, device or process that reduces your carbon footprint.
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No!
However we strongly recommend that you do to give yourself the best chance at winning.
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Yes!
You can submit your entry anytime after 3 October 2023.
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No, we have trained facilitators on-site at all times.
2021 Pitch Night Highlights
A snapshot of the winning pitches.
We are looking for sponsors and partners to help NextGen reach students across Australia.
Download our prospectus to find out how you can get involved.
