GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge

This is a new teacher led resource along with a one day innovation challenge for students with an interest in technology, science and business. In teams, students develop a solution to a primary industries related problem and build a rough prototype. Students undertake interviews with representatives from the primary industries and collect industry feedback as they go.


The GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge is open to all year 10 students throughout the country using the standalone resource. The GrowingNZ Innovation Day will be run in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.

Student learning 

Through The GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge, students will:

  • Investigate a problem
  • Develop and evaluate potential solutions
  • Build a prototype solution
  • Gather feedback from stakeholders

Curriculum links

The  GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge has strong links to technology, business and science. 

Competition (Optional)

Any teams attending the GrowingNZ day and/or using the standalone resource can submit one entry into a national competition. There are four intakes a year and winning entries are chosen and announced at the end of each term. Each winning entry receives $250 cash.

GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge

  • Year 10
  • 1-2 weeks
  • Social Sciences
    Technology
    Science
  • Free to NZ schools
  • Led by teachers
    Training Available
Download overview

Programme Chapters

1. GrowingNZ

Students taking part will:

  • Investigate a problem
  • Develop and evaluate potential solutions
  • Build a prototype solution
  • Gather feedback from stakeholders

Download includes:

  • GNZ TeachingGuide InnovationChallenge
  • GrowingNZ Student Guide

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