ANU Innovation Challenge 2016

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol42 Issue36 12–16 September 2016

Innovation is a recurring theme in research and industry, yet is something that is largely missing for ANU undergraduates outside the classroom or research laboratory. The ANU Innovation Challenge is one way ANU students are changing this!

The Challenge is a 24-hour design challenge. Students will have to come up with a solution (whether it be an app idea, business plan, physical prototype, or something completely different) to one of three challenges in the humanitarian, mental health, and data analytics areas. While it is hosted by CECS and JCOS student societies, it is open to all ANU students.

The challenge will be sponsored by ActewAGL, Inspriring Australia, PwC, EY, the Australian Radio and Communications Industry Association (ARCIA), and the Canberra Innovation Network.

This event will benefit ANU students, the College students who have been invited to attend, and the ANU Colleges involved.

For ANU Students

Collaborative innovation across disciplines is becoming an increasingly necessary element of a STEM career, whether it is in an academic or industry context.

Problem solving skills, creativity, and teamwork will be essential skills for students in the future. The ANU Innovation Challenge is an opportunity for students to develop and demonstrate these skills, while also developing their social conscience and working in a cross-disciplinary team.

The involvement of industry is important for attracting students to the event, and will provide students with exposure to high caliber companies who are providing workshops and prizes.

For College Students

Local colleges have been invited to attend, with 25 colleges expressing interest in sending teams of year 11 and 12 students.

These students will get the same exposure to industry as ANU students and develop the same skills, but will most importantly have the opportunity to learn about ANU, talk to current students, and hear from ANU academics just as they are deciding what study at university.

For CECS and RSPE at ANU

This event is in itself an innovative collaboration. The Engineering Students Association, Computer Science Students Association, the Science Society, Fifty50, Cross-Disciplinary Students Association, ANU Solar Car Association, EWB ACT Chapter, and Robogals have joined forces for the first time. This is a student-society initiative to benefit all students, and establish ourselves as innovators in the student experience space.

Outreach and recruitment is a challenge, and often an expensive one, for the ANU. This event provides an additional avenue to advertise the community we have within ANU, in a way that is fun, genuine, and provides College students with valuable insight into student life.

Academic Involvement

We would like to extend an invitation to the academics of CECS and RSPE to assist us on the day. This will help us to ensure the event is as high quality as possible, that the students get exposure to academics, and that students have people they can ask for assistance.

We will require academics to be present for some period of time over the Challenge, with at least one present at a time between the following hours. The venue for the event will be both the Engineering Ian Ross Design studio, as well as the new Physics Study area.

Fri 16th September: 4pm - 10pm

Sat 17th September: 7am - 5pm

If you could please email us with different times you are able to attend the event, that would be greatly appreciated. We are happy to answer any questions, or take any suggestions you have as well.

ANU Innovation Challenge Team

anu.esa@anu.edu.au