The Hackathon competition was held on 30th October at the Chamber of Commerce. It focused on developing a forum for students to brainstorm ideas in response to current issues. Two Year 10 students from PMACS attended, Simran Vyas and Preston Jones.
Participants were able to meet and network with other students to problem-solve the issue. It enabled the participants to learn how to pitch and present their idea to the Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Peter Tinley.
On arrival at the Chamber of Commerce students were separated into groups of two and partnered with other pairs from different schools. They watched many presentations from young people around the world who have benefited from this leadership program and have become successful or are beginning to enter a whole range of opportunities in their life.
This hackathon was particularly focused on civics and citizenship; therefore, the students had to create a presentation for the Minister of Youth Affairs that could benefit youth around Australia and be implemented in our curriculum or networking sites.
The first group that had involvement of students from Peter Moyes gave a presentation on the topic of drug use. The second group delivered a presentation on the lack of correct education in our country and the need for change. Finally, the third group delivered a presentation on the implementation of life studies into the school curriculum to better prepare young people for challenges in adulthood.
All presentations were amazing and very well planned, although the Minister was only able to pick two teams out of the thirteen that participated. There were two criteria bases for the two awards. The award for the most creative was awarded to the group containing Peter Moyes students Simran Vyas and Preston Jones.
As a result, the two winning teams were invited to lunch at Parliament House with the Hon. Peter Tinley MLA on the 22nd of November to discuss possible implementation of their ideas in the programme for youth development in Western Australia.
Simran Vyas and Preston Jones are incredibly excited for this opportunities as it may provide future opportunities and allows them to be involved in the consultative process that could bring about change to benefit our economy, workforce and health.
On behalf of all students that attended, we thank the PLEAWA and the Chamber of Commerce for this year’s HACKATHON.