GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge

This five lesson programme challenges year 9-11 students to research a real problem within the context of the primary industries. This cross curricular teacher led resource has strong links to Level 4 and 5 of the science, technology, social sciences and English learning areas. Each term, teams can submit digital entries into a nationwide inter-school competition and be in to win up to $250.

Congratulations to the 2017 winners:
Term 2 - Marlborough Girls' College
Term 3 - Westlake Boys' High School
Term 4 - Huanui College

The Student Guidebook and Teaching Resource have now been updated for 2018. Eleven exciting new challenges have been added to the Teaching Resource.

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
  • Persuasively present a solution 

Curriculum links

The GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge has strong links to Level 4 and 5 of the science, technology, social sciences and English learning areas. 

Competition (Optional)

Any teams 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.

GrowingNZ Innovation Challenge

  • Year 9-11
  • 1-2 wks
  • Social Sciences
    Technology
    Science
    English
  • 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
  • Persuasively present a solution  

Download topic resources Resources include:

  • GrowingNZ Teaching Guide
  • GrowingNZ Student Guide
GrowingNZ young enterprise programmes use a combination of teachers, students and scientists, farmers and plant growers to give students a real world and relevant educational experience. I endorse your workshop, programme and project as highly useful for students and teachers and unreservedly recommend it.Tony Cairns, Wellington College

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