St Thomas of Canterbury CollegeGlobal Enterprise Challenge
Hi
Welcome to the new St Thomas website!
Important news and upcoming events will be shown here.
Up Coming Events
- Aug. 04, 2010 - St Ambrose England vs 1st XV
- Aug. 05, 2010 - Australian Maths Competetion
- Aug. 11, 2010 - Winter Sports Tournament Yr 7 and 8
- Aug. 16 - 20, 2010 - EXAM WEEK
- Aug. 25, 2010 - Wednesday Sport concludes
- Aug. 26 - 27, 2010 - Year 11 retreat and careers
- Aug. 30 - Sep. 03, 2010 - Winter Tournament Week
Teaching & Learning » Global Enterprise Challenge
LOUIS O'BRIEN and THE GLOBAL ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE
Congratulations Team New Zealand - World Champions for 2008
Eighty senior secondary school students from Kerikeri to Invercargill assembled at Massey University's Albany Campus this year to prepare for this challenge. The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Helen Clark, launched the New Zealand challenge and warned that the competition would be tough and challenging.
The New Zealand students, who were all directors of student companies participating in the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme competed against England, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Norway, Phillippines, Poland, Singapore the might of the United States of America, as well as Scotland, Wales and Australia.
The 24-hour challenge issued by the international judges said: Water is Planet Earth's most precious resource that is becoming scarcer by the day. Your challenge is: "to produce a working model of an innovative product, process, service or plan that will reduce the impact of growing demand on the world's dwindling water resources."
The judges chose a team that developed a product called "LillyPod" a stand-alone, floating saltwater farm, growing Salicomia (a plant grown in salt water). The aim of the team was to develop a world wide commercially viable sea based farm which reduces the impact of crops relying on fresh water. This team then went on to represent New Zealand and made their presentation via an internet link to a panel of international judges based around the world.
Students from 15 countries submitted a three-minute video presentation and written business plans via web-link to a panel of international judges based around the world, to compete for the right to win first place in this year's Global Enterprise Challenge. The overall winner was New Zealand, with Australia taking second place and Wales third.
In a web-streamed announcement of the winners, the GEC's judge coordinator, Len Norman said, "it has been an exciting event and the work quality has been absolutely outstanding. Creativity is extremely high. Business plans were very detailed and believable and the standard has improved year on year". The title was fiercely contested with working prototypes of sonic dishwashers, sophisticated mock-ups of advertising campaigns and other inventive presentations.
Dr Neil Pellis, Chief Scientist at NASA announced the winners of the event, with first place being awarded to Team New Zealand, whose members are:
Adam Botterill, Westlake Boys' High School
Ben McNab, Rangiora High School
Kristina Clarke, Long Bay College
Matthew Holt, Long Bay College
Louis O'Brien, St Thomas of Canterbury College
Brigid McLeod, John Paul College
Melissa Eade, James Hargest High School
Michelle Panzer, Garin College
Stacey Kenzelmann, Orewa College
"For New Zealand students to compete in a global arena and more than hold their own should give us great confidence in our future generation" said Tony Caughey, Chairman of the Enterprise New Zealand Trust. "Given the time constraints and pressure, our students were outstanding", he said.
Well done, Louis.