Technological Innovations- Primary Students 

This category is open to any young Years K-6 inventor or tinkerer who has come up with a brilliant idea and has built a model or prototype, showing how their idea works.

We are inviting projects where students have:

  • Designed and constructed an innovative device or application that is an original application of technology that solves a need or problem. It can be a new or improved device or process that clearly incorporates a technological idea or concept. ICT-based projects in a technological context are also eligible. 

OR

  • Built a working scaled or full-scaled prototype of the invention or innovative device or application.

AND

  •  Produced an accompanying design folio or logbook documenting background research and the design process, from brainstorming to final design, through construction to the final product, testing and evaluation. 

The judging rubrics for the Technological Innovations category provide further details of what is expected.

One of the judging criteria is that the student has produced a technology product or prototype that performs as intended. To demonstrate this, the student may need to include a series of photos or video footage of the technology product performing as intended. The footage is to specifically show the technology project performing and should not show images of the student themselves or identify their school. The quality of the photos or video footage will not be judged, but ensure it is clear enough for the judges to see the technology product working.

This category of the Young Scientist Awards provides a framework for students to develop skills in applying the following processes of Working Technologically:

  • Identifying a need or a problem
  • Generating ideas and research
  • Planning an innovative device
  • Constructing model
  • Producing solution or prototype
  • Testing and evaluating

 

Design Folio

Your formal design folio should embrace a comprehensive coverage of the displayed processes of Working Technologically. Within each process, a number of suggested sections are recommended, however, we understand there will be some flexibility in your final order:

Identifying a Need or Problem

  • Beneficial: identify a need or problem that is beneficial to someone you know or a particular group in society
  • consider addressing an issue of technological significance
  • Improvement: develop a solution that is an improvement over current alternatives
  •  

Generating Ideas and Research

  • Gathering Ideas: use idea-generation techniques such as brainstorming when developing creative design ideas
  • sketch different ideas and use market research techniques for a targeted group of end users to develop and test design ideas
  • consider the advantages and disadvantages for each design idea – evaluate the long-term and short-term consequences of particular design ideas
  • Background Research: include relevant background research when generating creative design ideas
  • evaluate the originality of your design by exploring similar related innovations

 

Planning an Innovative Device

  • Materials: make considered choices in the selection of materials
  • research appropriate technology to make design project successful
  • Production: plan production methods for the model of the innovative device
  • prepare and implement a time and action plan for the design process
  • estimate financial costs and benefits, including social, financial and environmental

 

Constructing Prototype

  • Risk Management: apply risk management practices
  • adopt safe procedures in the prototype’s construction
  • Skills: demonstrate technological skills in the construction process
  • make good use of finishing techniques to enhance the appearance of the prototype

 

Produce Solution or Prototype

  • A solution to problem: produce a solution which is an original and useful solution to the initial need or problem
  • produce a model that consistently performs its intended purpose
  • produce a solution that is an improvement over current alternatives
  • Future Developments: discuss modifications or alternatives to the final prototype
  • suggest worthwhile directions for future developments

 

Testing and Evaluating

  • Testing: organise a series of trial runs to test the reliability of the prototype
  • carry out an exhaustive testing regime to show that the model works as intended
  • Evaluating: carry out a full evaluation, discussing strengths and weaknesses of the innovative device
  • obtain direct feedback from the specific group or person that the device was designed to assist
  • document and evaluate decisions made throughout the design process using specified criteria for success
  • self-assess and peer-assess product solutions

 

Communicating your Final Design

  • Folio: a well-sequenced and developed design folio that is evidence of considerable time-taken
  • providing clear evidence of planning and preparation
  • Prototype: communicating how your prototype operates to the intended audience
  • incorporating different media in the presentation of your prototype
  • Display: producing an informative poster that describes how your prototype works
  • using clear and concise language to communicate the operational details of the prototype
  • Marketing: consideration of marketing options for your prototype
  • effectively conveying your future ideas for your prototype


All projects must be submitted online. There will be no physical exhibition or judging of any projects.  Your entry must include  a design folio and/or logbook, a clear description of how your model or prototype works and may include a short video showing how your prototype works.