Innovation Tour a Success

Coresteel Buildings South Canterbury took their regional Coresteel Buildings Innovation Award to the next level this year, including an ‘innovation tour’ of local businesses as part of the selection process.

This is the second year that Coresteel South Canterbury has offered the award to Year 12 and 13 students from Craighead Diocesan School in Timaru.

The award is part of a national initiative that recognises the achievements of a student who has demonstrated excellence in innovation.

Each of the six entrants submitted an innovative design project which has formed part of their school assessment for graphic design.

“Last Friday, we took the group on a tour of four innovative South Canterbury businesses to see and hear first-hand how innovative thinking, problem-solving and design can be applied across different industries,” says Heather Harding, Marketing Manager, Coresteel South Canterbury.

Harding says it’s been great to work with the school to refine the award process and she hopes to include other local schools in the competition next year.

“This initiative has certainly helped our girls think about how they design for people and how they can contextualise what they are learning. I look forward to being part of it as it grows,” says Katy Whelan, HOD Technology, Craighead Diocesan School.

The students visited 100% Pure New Zealand Honey, Heartland Chips, Timpany Walton Lawyers, and Rushton Architects.

“It was a great experience for us to share our approach to innovation, as well as hear about the exciting projects being developed by the students. Innovation is at the heart of our economy, both locally and nationally, so anything we can do to encourage creative thinking will potentially provide greater benefits in the long-term,” says Sean Goodwin, CEO, 100% Pure New Zealand Honey

The entrants were assessed on the quality of their design and design process, and level of participation in the tour. Two finalists were selected and interviewed, and a winner will be announced at the school’s end-of-year prize-giving ceremony later this year.