Perse and SST students tackle EdTech challenge
Article written by Paul Baker, Head of Computing and Digital Strategy at The Perse
Perse Year 9 and School of Science and Technology, Singapore (SST) Year 10 students took part this week in an exciting cross-cultural entrepreneurial challenge. Working in five mixed teams, each consisting of three Perse students and two SST students, they tackled a real-world brief over two days.
Their challenge, in the role of an EdTech start-up, was to design, create, brand and pitch an engaging EdTech concept in the biochemistry space aimed at older primary pupils. Teams were asked to design their educational game using MakeCode Arcade so that primary schools could deploy the product using the affordable BBC micro:bit handheld controllers.
Teams were also tasked with designing some EdTech “swag” to give away to interested teachers at their upcoming educational conference.
Across the two days, students combined academic science, computing, and technology design skills with real-world experience of branding and enterprise as they moved from idea generation and rapid prototyping to product design and final pitching. Students made good, supervised use of AI to quickly upskill themselves and assist with rapid branding development.
They also used 3D CAD design tools to create their conference giveaway on 3D printers and laser cutters. The event developed far more than technical knowledge, giving students valuable skills in international teamwork, communication, creative problem-solving, user-centred design, resilience, leadership and entrepreneurial thinking, while showing how innovation can happen best at the intersection of disciplines and cultures.
Starting from scratch, students had a little over five hours of lesson time across two days to make a company brand, a web presence, an educational biochemistry game and a company pitch, which was delivered to a panel of teachers acting as angel investors.
Together with Mr Mainiero and Mr Baker from The Perse and the two accompanying SST teachers Ms Tang and Mr Pang Hee Tee, Dr Buchanan kindly joined the panel to represent the Biology Department, ensuring subject accuracy was taken into account when awarding points! Many thanks go particularly to Mr Armitage and our SST visitors for coordinating another successful exchange visit.
Congratulations to the winning team ‘Biosparx‘, consisting of Audrey, Teni and Jeffrey from The Perse and Pavithraa and Abigail from SST.
Here are some examples of the products students made, from the winners and runners up:
