Student innovators impress with illuminating ideas

Seventeen students from Margaret River Senior High School recently participated in the Illuminate Business Challenge, a program designed to inspire young people to solve real-world problems through business and entrepreneurship.

Illuminate Education Australia, known for empowering students with the skills to innovate and create solutions for their communities, delivered the workshop in collaboration with local schools.

The first part of the program saw students presenting their pitches after intensive brainstorming and preparation. The presentations received much praise from facilitators and mentors.

Five standout students from Year 7 and 8 then continued into the three-day Illuminate Business Challenge. Their task was to develop an idea that would increase the liveability of the Busselton-Margaret River region. Students worked with professional coaches and facilitators, diving deeper into the world of business development and entrepreneurship.

On Friday, the students pitched their final concepts to judges online and walked away with four prestigious awards: The Ideation Award, Best Financial Tables, Best Feasibility Study, and The Collaboration Award.

One group, consisting of Year 7 students, developed the innovative idea of an artificial reef using 3D printing techniques. This business, “Reef Protection Australia,” aims to address the coral bleaching currently affecting the Geographe Reef. Their concept not only impressed the judges but also showed a strong understanding of environmental sustainability and community impact.

The other group created a concept for a community-based university study program that would allow rural students to further their education without needing to move to major cities. Their proposal focused on fostering social connections while providing access to online courses within regional academies, ensuring that students in rural areas can continue their studies with the support of their local community.

The students were completely absorbed by the critical thinking and problem-solving elements of the challenge and expressed a strong desire to continue their studies in this hands-on, real-world learning format.

Illuminate Australia Director Jessi Mostogl traveled to Margaret River to present the awards and congratulate the students. She commended them for their tremendous enthusiasm and remarkable achievements, extending a special invitation for the students to pitch their ideas at the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) Summit in Busselton later this month.