Search on for school master minds

3M South Africa, one of the world’s largest innovative and multi technology groups, is building on the success of the HIP2B² 3M Innovation Challenge and is looking for Grade 9 and 10 learners to enter the 2016 challenge.

The challenge, which was launched in 2012 by 3M and non-profit youth organisation HIP2B² is gearing up for an explosive 2016 event which aims to unearth the best technological and innovative ideas that the youth have to offer, using the Sciences Applied to Life as the benchmark for all entries.

Grade 9 and 10 learners are tasked with finding innovative solutions to everyday problems they face. Those entrants who make it to the final round will benefit from exposure to 3M's wealth of intellectual and product resources, in support of their quest to become South Africa's Top Young Innovator 2016.

Your innovation must be a solution to everyday problems such as how we get from place to place, how we stay healthy, how we stay safe and how to make everyday tasks easier.

“The previous challenges were a great success and made a significant impact on those learners who participated,” said Gina Cohen, Customer Innovation Centre host and customer engagement specialist business services operations.

“Science, is just science, until you make it improve the world. Learners are often overlooked by adults when it comes to solving real-life problems. We want to see the project ultimately feeding the pipeline of scarce skills in the fields of engineering and technology and changing perceptions of these fields. The ideas of young people should be encouraged, not ignored,” she said.

HIP2B² was founded in 2002 to promote the study of maths, science and technology-related subjects as a means to develop problem solving skills and analytical thinking. Its ultimate aim is to contribute towards a growing culture of entrepreneurship, which will better ensure South Africa’s future economic prosperity.

“We rely on strong corporate partnerships like the one we have with 3M to keep on making a difference in the lives of South African learners, by unlocking their 'inner innovator' through fun, well-structured and well-resourced educational programmes like the Challenge,” said Cathryn Payne, managing director of HIP2B².

Grade 9 and 10 learners are invited to enter, in teams of two, their own innovation for a solution to a real problem that affects them, their family or their community, using science and maths applications.

Closing date for entries is 30 September. The finalists from each province will be selected by a judging panel of representatives from HIP2B2, 3M and other industry experts with a science or technical background.

The final of the challenge will be on 30 November and prizes for the winning team will include a laptop for each winner, a laptop for the teacher as well as R10 000 worth of equipment for the labs in the school.

For more information and to enter a team into the 2016 HIP2B² 3M Innovation Challenge, contact project manager, Lizelle@wwd.co.za on 021 976 3366 or email lizelle@wwd.co.za