- Up to 40 Western Australian public schools selected to participate in 2026 Minister’s Innovation Challenge in Term 4
- Students work with an industry mentor to develop innovative solutions to local issues
- Five top-ranked teams will be announced in December
Up to 40 Western Australian public schools have been selected to take part in the 2026 Minister’s Innovation Challenge, which will see students develop innovative solutions to tackle local issues.
The Challenge – now in its fifth year – provides an opportunity for year 8 students across metropolitan and regional WA to work in teams of six to eight to compete over six weeks, supported by a teacher and industry mentor.
Set to start in Term 4, students will work alongside an industry mentor to identify a local issue and apply design thinking processes to come up with innovative solutions, with their final pitches to be submitted on 20 November.
The Challenge will be coordinated by Bloom, a Perth-based, youth-led, not-for-profit organisation that delivers entrepreneurial education and innovation programs to young people.
A shortlist of five teams will be selected by judging students’ three-minute pitches using criteria including critical thinking, interpersonal skills and communication, problem solving, planning and organisation, creativity, teamwork and collaboration.
Winners will be announced on 3 December where the top five-ranked teams will win a share of $35,000.
Coodanup College students won last year’s top prize of $15,000 for their Hotdog Lead, featuring temperature-sensitive colour technology that provides a clear visual alert to warn owners when their dogs are overheating in hot weather.
Since 2022, the Challenge has seen participation double, with many schools who took part in the initiative last year returning again in 2026.
As stated by Education Minister Sabine Winton:
“The Minister’s Innovation Challenge gives students the opportunity to develop skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world, including creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving.
“One of the strengths of the Challenge is it connects students with industry mentors, giving them valuable real-world insight while encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
“The growth in participation since this initiative began demonstrates the enthusiasm of our students and teachers to embrace new ways of thinking and develop practical solutions to the issues that matter in their communities.
“I congratulate all schools selected to participate this year and look forward to seeing the innovative ideas students develop over the course of the Challenge.”
As stated by Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson:
“This Challenge is a great way to give young Western Australians an early window into the opportunities that exist across our State’s innovation ecosystem.
“Working directly with industry mentors gives students exposure to the way businesses and organisations develop ideas and bring new solutions to life.
“The Cook Labor Government wants more young people to understand that innovation is not limited to one industry or one career path – it is increasingly part of almost every sector of our economy.
“Giving students these opportunities while they’re still at school can help broaden their horizons and encourage them to think innovatively.”
