Tuesday evening, 19th October, saw our 2021 cohort of STEM Defence + Innovation students put the skills they have learnt into practice and pitch their incredible designs to a distinguished panel of judges, Amy List from Boeing Defence Australia, and Group Captain Al Wherrett and Wing Commander Aleisha Broadhead from RAAF Base Williamtown.
Students from Scone Grammar School, Newcastle Grammar School, Hunter River High School and St Philip’s Christian College Newcastle for the past 3 months have participated in virtual workshops delivered by The Business Centre Newcastle covering Innovation Methodologies, Value Proposition Design, Business Model Canvas and the value of learning how to pitch.
STEM Defence + Innovation is an activity of RDA Hunter’s Department of Defence funded ME Program. It was developed to advance innovation in the Hunter by giving students skills to transition their prototypes to market and is delivered in partnership with The Business Centre Newcastle.
Projects included:
- Tactile computer interface for audio/video/lighting
- Automated solar-powered animal feeder
- Breaker bar – tyre changing device
- Garbage compaction unit
- Auditory training app
The aim of the night was to provide students with advice and feedback on their inventions and explore the potential Defence capabilities for their projects.
Daniel Bell, St Philip’s Christian College Newcastle, was judged the overall winner for his outstanding innovation, working prototype, and fantastic pitch of his tactile computer interface – of which he already has his first customer! Daniel was awarded a $500 Marketing Content Package Voucher with Agency 1765 to help further promote his product.
Congratulations to all students who participated, we were so impressed with your ability to adjust to online delivery, your creative design thinking and excellent presentation skills. We’re excited for what your future will bring.
