This is a sponsored post.
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Given space, opportunity and the right support, kids are fabulous at solving problems and devising fresh, new and innovative ideas.
Today I am excited to share news of a fabulous initiative that will see some of Australia’s brightest young thinkers fly off on the adventure of a lifetime – three Australian kids will be flown to the US to visit some of the world’s most exciting innovation hotspots – the Cape Kennedy Space Centre, Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney World Florida, the Orlando Science Centre and Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
It’s all thanks to Origin Energy’s littleBIGideas competition. Here’s a little more about it…
Children in grades three to eight are invited to submit their most creative and innovative big (or little) ideas for the chance to win. It could be an invention, an energy-saving technology or a simple way to make life easier; it really can be anything at all! It does however have to be practical and possible to create, using existing materials and/or resources. To enter, children to do not actually have to make their invention, just describe it in 200 words or less and accompany the description with a drawing or 1 minute video.
The top 12 ideas will be selected based on an exceptional demonstration of originality, creativity, practicality, imagination and innovation, with the 12 finalists being flown to Sydney to attend the very first littleBIGidea forum this October to present their idea to the judging panel.
The creator of the #1 winning idea in each age category – Grade 3-4, Grade 5-6, Grade 7-8 – will be off on that trip of a lifetime! Each of the twelve finalists will also win prizes for themselves, their school and their teacher – with the total prize pool in excess of $100,000.
If you are in Australia and are the parent, teacher or friend of children in grades three to eight, I encourage you to help spread the word about littleBIGideas. I cannot tell you what an exciting opportunity I think this represents for Australian children, schools and educators.
I would also encourage teachers and parents to keep an eye on the blog and Childhood 101 Facebook page as over the coming months I will be sharing a range of inspiring resources intended to get kids excited about inventing.
Head on over to the littleBIGidea website for full details.
Tell me, will your child or school be entering?
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
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