Innovative thinking.
Tuesday 28 August 07
Around 500 secondary school students attended an interactive two-day event held this week in the BBC Blackstaff studios, designed to encourage innovative thinking among young people.
The event, organised by Invest Northern Ireland, involved young people journeying through five zones each highlights a different aspect of innovation. The young people got an opportunity to design a product from props provided, developed new brand ideas for mars products, hear from Almac about how drugs are developed and get an insight into innovative thinking from Omlet, a company founded by university graduates to make hi tech chicken hutches. Carol Keery of invest NI’s innovation, research and technology division, says: “this is one of many events that we are organising to highlight the importance of innovation, in the run up to innovation week 2007 that will take place in may. The event is called ‘the future is yours’ underlining the fact that young people are the innovators and entrepreneurs of the future”. “Our aim is to embed a culture of innovation and enterprise in young people and give them the confidence to explore their ideas and bring their unique perspective, imagination and energy to the world of business”.
To the school teams that came up with the most innovative new product ideas, which included an interactive hamster home and a life saving device, prizes were awarded.
Invest Northern Ireland’s Innovation week will take place from 14th -18th May at St. George's Market Belfast.
