A new project by start-up community Startacus is aiming to help young people deal with life changes caused by the coronavirus, looking at some of the challenges that they have already faced and continue to face during the pandemic.
Delivered as part of the school’s programme at NI Science Festival 2021 (8 - 12 Feb 2021), Covid-NITeen is a step-by-step project and competition for NI students, from year 10 and up, to create new and innovative digital or product-based business ideas that can help address some of the key problems that the pandemic has caused for Education and Learning, Retail and Hospitality, Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing and Social interactions.
In partnership with Young Enterprise NI, the virtual Covid-NITeen project will enable students across Northern Ireland to go through the journey of identifying pandemic-related social and business challenges, creating innovative solutions, conceptualising a brand, culminating in leading industry judges judging the best selected ideas.
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Alastair Cameron, co-founder of Startacus said: “None of us could have predicted the challenges we have all faced over the past year. However despite those challenges, the strength and resilience that has been shown by our young people has been remarkable.
"The experiences they have been through will really shape how we as a society deal with issues in years to come. After all, our students are the entrepreneurs of the future - they are our innovators.”
Chris McCreery, Director of NI Science Festival added: “This year, more than others, we hope the programme can provide additional support to educators everywhere working to engage and excite their students while delivering distance learning.”
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NI schools will have six weeks from the 10 February to use the STEM-focused resource and will be given access to take part via Young Enterprise NI.
In April, after all shortlisted entries are reviewed, the judging panel will select three winning students or teams who each will receive a Covid-NITeen trophy and prize.
Interested NI-based schools and teachers should contact leigh@startacus.net to be given the school code for access.
Source: Startacus
