Young innovators is an organisation which was established on April 26 2017. The aim is to bring passion driven interactive learning approach to young learners. Through collaboration with these learners the learning aims to ensure students become bright and fruitful learners.
Starting last year, Young Innovators had its first batch of students. These students formed together to become members of the Conrad Challenge. The concept of Conrad Challenge involves students applying the ‘No Box Toolbox’ philosophy and utilising science and technology to solve real world problems. This involves students in groups of 5 from the ages of 12-18 developing a product or service addressing one of the world’s most pressing problems. The students in this group came from different suburbs and different schools and utilised a range of online technologies to interact with each other. There is a gender mix involved in the groups. The students usually conduct online meetings through an online app called Zoom every week. The group has a business manager and technology advisor for the primary purposes of teaching the students about business schools. The mentor has a role to help the students and guide them through this process. This is a competition against students worldwide. The students utilised a call to action method to learning where students are required to perform duties when allocated responsibilities.
The students had a choice of categories to target in order to tailor their product or service offering such as Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition, Transforming Education with Technology, and A Smoke Free World. The students decided to enter this competition through the ‘Transforming Education with Technology’ category. The Investor’s Pitch was the first of five stages required to be successful in this competition. The students proposed a service called Ductu through an online video which can be accessed through this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T41jKMsKnl8. Ductu is an innovative product where university students offer their services to high school students to assist them in their studies, career and character building. University students first upload their profile demonstrating their capabilities, track record of success and core competencies, then this will enable high schools students to determine which student will enable them to perform at their peak potential and provide help to students for special subjects and projects which schools do not offer. This is a win-win situation as high school students get support and university students get paid for their mentoring services. Students have a benefit of being able to interact with each other through any computing device around the globe, parents and teachers also have access to these services.
As the students were successful with their Investor’s Pitch they advanced to stage 2 of the Conrad Challenge competition which involves the Business Proposal. Their Business Proposal involved a Company Introduction, Business Opportunities shown through the Business Description, Marketing Analysis, Cost, Funding Sources and Developing a Business plan. If this is successful students will be selected to represent Young Innovators in the United States Of America.