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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 2024
TBA School Holiday Workshop
Monday 7 October 1st Ideas Workshop*
Monday 14 October 2nd Ideas Workshop*
Monday 21 October 3rd Ideas Workshop*
Monday 4 November NextGen Submissions CLOSE
TBA Finalists Notified
Monday 11 November 1st Pitch Perfect Workshop*
Monday 18 November 2nd Pitch Perfect Workshop* and Finalists FINAL Submissions to be submitted
Monday 25 November Pitch Night for Finalists - Pollinators CityHive | 4:30pm to 8:00pm
*Please note: It is beneficial for the students to attend at least 1 Ideas Workshop and Finalists must attend 1 or both Pitch Perfect Workshops to be able to present on Pitch Night.
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 on Mondays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm (see above dates). The workshops guide students through the design thinking process to help them define the problem that they want to solve.
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.
