Learning helmets, interactive desks and smart-lunchboxes were just some of the futuristic ideas that Kiwi primary school students dreamed up for a competition aimed to inspire innovative thinking from New Zealand’s next generation of tech developers.
The ‘Windows to the Future’ competition, sponsored by New Era IT in association with Microsoft, challenged students in over 800 primary schools around the country to imagine what learning will be like in the future. More than 30 entries were received from 24 schools.
The top prize, announced at an event this week hosted at Microsoft New Zealand’s Auckland office, went to students from Owairoa Primary School, who envisioned devices such as the Learning Helmet – a device that enhances learning for shorter study times, makes learning easier and frees up more time in the day for fun activities.
“We were blown away by the level of creativity and innovation coming from the students at Owairoa Primary School, from an interactive desk that can eliminate language barriers to a lunch box that keeps track of food expiry and helps learning,” says Barrie Sheers, Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand.
“The young people of today are growing up in a digital world, which has innovation at its core. So it’s been a great experience connecting with students and seeing what they as our future generations envision as possibilities for technological development.”
The Owairoa Primary students were awarded a HP Sprout device for their school, which Principal Alan McIntyre says they cannot wait to use in their classrooms.
“Our students and staff felt so proud to attend the prize giving and certainly enjoyed the opportunity to have such a visit. They all came back excited and motivated to immerse themselves in IT,” says McIntyre.
Glenbrook Primary School in Franklin won both the Innovation Award and Creativity Award for the diversity of ideas presented from the students and their use of Microsoft technology to showcase their visions of the future.
“Whether it was a floating classroom or rocket skates, Glenbrook Primary School’s entry was a melting pot of great ideas that used technology to express them,” says Sheers.
The Glenbrook students won a HP Stream Notebook and an Xbox One Minecraft bundle for their innovative entries.
“We congratulate the winners from both schools for their outstanding efforts and look forward to seeing what the students can imagine next utilising this technology they have won,” says Sheers.
Primary schools entered by submitting a video, story, song, collage or models to show how technology will be used in education in the future.
For more news and information about Microsoft in New Zealand, visit our News Centre web site at: https://news.microsoft.com/en-nz/