Calling on youngsters to take up a technological challenge and be innovative… and win

It’s that time of the year once again, where 3M South Africa, one of the world’s largest innovative and multi-technology groups continues to build on the success of the HIP2B² 3M Innovation 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.

The call is out now for Grade Nine and 10 pupils to enter the 2016 challenge, which tasks them 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 any of the following everyday problems:

1. How we get from place to place.
2. How we stay healthy.
3. How we stay safe.
4. How to make everyday tasks easier.

“The previous challenges were a great success and made a significant impact on those pupils 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.

“Pupils 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.”

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 pupils, by unlocking their ‘inner innovator’ through fun, well-structured and well-resourced educational programmes like the challenge,” said Cathryn Payne, managing director of HIP2B².

“As a founding partner, 3M has been totally committed to the success of this project, providing financial, product and human resources, and opening up their company facilities to our enthusiastic young competitors.”

3M is the science-based company behind a plethora of innovations, which permeate every industry.

Internationally renowned as the creators of brands such as Post-it®Notes, Scotch® Tape, and Scotchgard™, 3M has also developed everything from safer surgical drapes to innovative air filtration systems and pocket projectors.

Grade Nine and 10 pupils from all provinces in South Africa 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.

The closing date for entries is September 30.

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 held on November 30 and prizes for the winning team will include: a laptop for each winner, a laptop for the pupils’ teacher, as well as R10 000 worth of equipment for the labs in the school.

During October, the regional finalists will experience an eye-opening workshop of career and personal development with industry specialists and mentors, culminating with a presentation of their conceived innovations to a judging panel.

“3M is closely aligned with HIP2B²’s inspirational quest to awaken the innovator in South African pupils through changing teens’ perceptions about maths and science and encouraging them to continue with these studies to matric and beyond,” said Cohen.

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