Orbispace Winners meet the Duchess

St Ursula’s Pitch for the Planet

On Wednesday 18 September, 14 Year 8 students represented the College in The Orbispace Initiative Pitch for the Planet. The Orbispace Initiative is a program with the mission to inspire the next generation of Australian female innovators by equipping them with the skills and mindsets needed to succeed in a rapidly changing physical and digital landscape. The program is a six month course teaching students about innovation, technical STEM skills, entrepreneurship, soft skill development such as teamwork, confidence and communication skills alongside hard skills relating to innovation, prototype development and creating a business model. As an opportunity to apply their learning, students were then provided with a real world sustainability case study to pitch a sustainable innovation that will encourage Australians to electrify their transportation.

As part of their innovation, students needed to consider key sustainability concepts including environmental and ecological determinants. They then were required to evaluate existing market solutions and constraints before developing their own innovative solution to the problem.

We had two teams of Year 8 students presenting at The Pitch for the Planet. The ‘StellaCharge’ team, comprising of Marion Choi, Cielo Collaguazo, Ava Crowley-Sweet, Olivia Miks, Aaliyah Reddy, Gabriella Saliba and Lucy Yoegiar, focused on the problem that the distance electric vehicles can travel is significantly less than petrol cars. Their solution was to develop portable solar-powered charging packs.

The ‘WattWay’ team, compring of Maria Katsaros, Ella Rentzepis, Isabella Saoud, Jacinta Shori, Sophie Steel, Elena Vidanovski and Eden Vonhoff, focused on the problem of inefficient and inaccessible charging processes associated with electric vehicles. Their solution is wireless charging stations situated across parking spots, garages and red lights.

Both teams had just eight minutes to make their pitch. They identified the problem and presented market research, solutions, product ideation/prototypes, market size and business or impact models. Teams pitched their ideas to judges and investors who followed their pitch with 2 minutes of questions where students continued to convince the judges to invest in their innovation solution and team.

Both teams did a phenomenal job with their pitch and we were absolutely delighted that one of our teams, ‘WattWay’, was announced as first prize winner for the 2024 Pitch for the Planet competition! This was a wonderful achievement for both the girls involved, and for the College.

Click here to view the Daily Telegraph’s article on St Ursula’s winning team.

High tea with the Duchess of York

Following their win, our ‘WattWay’ team were awarded the unique opportunity to have a private high tea with the patron of the program – Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York.

On Friday 8 November the ‘WattWay” team members attended an intimate high tea, enabling them to have one on one discussions with the Duchess of York as a celebration of their achievement and success. Ella Rentzepis did a wonderful job of presenting their innovation and ideas to the Duchess. All students were given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their ideas about the future of our planet and sustainability. The Duchess of York, is the founding ambassador for the Youth Impact Council with a strong passion for amplifying the voices of Generation Z, with a genuine interest in the ideas and opinions of the young women who attended the event.

It was an inspirational day for all involved. The students represented the College with grace and enthusiasm. We were very proud of them.