The Young Innovator Awards has just completed for another year, and this appears to be the best yet. With a record breaking 170+ entrants, 118 of whom were part of groups, the first task was to refine this number down to finalists - 33 entries were chosen to go forward for final judging.
We had a stellar judging panel this year, with experts in the fields that we ask the students and young professionals to consider when entering: Research, Communication, Creativity, Sustainability, and, of course, Innovation.
On the awards night, Thursday 7th August in conjunction with the Western Bay at Work careers fair launch, we were treated to some inspiring words. Sara Lunam, Port of Tauranga Corporate Services Manager and WBW ambassador for 2014, spoke about the value of continued education and using the local resources to fuel innovation. Keynote speaker John Gertsakis, Chief Sustainability Officer for Infoactiv, also spoke of the importance of lifelong learning. Over a number of years, John has built an exceptional reputation globally as a pioneer in the areas of sustainable design and innovation through products, software, education and product stewardship.
Timothy Allan of Locus Research and Reuben Woods from Woods Creative gave an overview of the 2014 YIA programme, which included some incredible numbers that the programme has reached in the five years since it was established. This includes 27 in school presentations to thousands of students, 3 teacher workshops hosting over 90 teachers, over 300 entries to the awards with 13 top awards presented, over 3,000 votes for the people's choice category, and two stellar internships. All this was put together with 1,200 hours of design an innovation work from the dedicated YIA team. They also took time to thank the sponsors, supporters, and teachers involved before moving into the prize giving ceremony.
Judge Trent Mankelow, founder of Optimal Experience usability company, kicked things off with the Junior Secondary School category, which had a massive 37 finalists. Trent took the initiative to step off the stage and speak directly to the finalists, saying that he was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the entries from such a young collection of students.
Next judge Social Code founder Siobhan Bulfin presented to the Senior Secondary School finalists, following suit by getting off the stage and in front of the 15 female / one male group. She was also inspired by the work put forward by the group and by the innovations she had to judge.
The Under 40s category was presented by judge Stewart Collie from AgResearch, followed by the People's Choice winner, Internship winner and Overall Supreme winner, presented by John Gertsakis. Check out all of the winners and some photos from the night below.
The following morning, the judges along with GoodNature founder Robbie van Dam and Rob Ford from Livestock Improvement spoke at the 2014 Innovation Forum, offering up their journeys through business and how they used innovation to succeed. Read more about the 2014 Forum coming soon.
The Young Innovator Awards are brought to you by Priority One's Instep Programme, Woods the Creative Agency, and Locus Research.
And the winners are:
Highly Commended
Medical Bracelet by Cassie Chapman, Roos van Gorp, & Katelyn Wallbank from Otumoetai College
A medical bracelet/necklace and GPS tracker with GSM and instructional speaker to help those who have allergies get the proper help they need, faster, when having a reaction.
Supreme Winner
Swim Safe App by Hayden Christie, Lachlan Farron, & Frano Gabric from Otumoetai College
A phone app that uses the camera to evaluate the sea's movement patterns and identify the signs of a rip.
Highly Commended
Share Chair by Tessa Livingston-Pooley from Otumoetai College
Rent out the jigs to make children's chairs to schools and preschools.
Supreme Winner
Multi Twister by Maraea Ranui from Tauranga Girls' College
A multi plug that will swivel around 90 degrees in blocks of units.
Supreme Winner
Silent Light by Glen Storey & Monique Storey
An iPhone/iPad app that helps manage classroom noise levels.
Walk The Dog by Lucy Beaton, Blake Fairweather, Emily Farron, Annie Freeman, Jess Gadsbey, Seniors from Otumoetai College
A hassle-free dog walking storage and clip-on lead belt.
Swim Safe App by Hayden Christie, Lachlan Farron, & Frano Gabric, Juniors from Otumoetai College
Swim Safe App by Hayden Christie, Lachlan Farron, & Frano Gabric, Juniors from Otumoetai College
