A group of talented Year 9 students had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Innovation Academy, a two-day workshop hosted at the University of Waikato.
Led by passionate educators Mrs Jodie Kennedy and Mrs Kath Langman, the event was a vibrant and inspiring journey into the world of design thinking, creativity, and real-world problem solving.
Throughout the workshop, students worked collaboratively in teams to develop innovative concept solutions to real-life challenges, thoughtfully identified by our senior student leaders. These challenges ranged from environmental concerns to social issues relevant to their communities. The use of the design thinking process empowered students to explore empathy, define key issues, ideate creatively, prototype solutions, and pitch their ideas in a professional setting.
The energy in the room was electric—students were fully engaged, sharing ideas, testing ideas, and building their confidence as young innovators. With a blend of fun, challenge, and discovery, the Innovation Academy offered a unique learning environment that supported diverse thinking styles and celebrated creative problem solving.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Claire Timpany and Tomas Garcia Ferrari from the University of Waikato for making this learning experience possible. Their support and encouragement helped create a space where students felt inspired and valued.
The Innovation Academy truly showcased what can happen when ākonga (students), kaiako (teachers), and community partners come together with a shared vision. We can’t wait to see how these young minds continue to shape the future.
Ka mau te wehi – what an awesome experience!
