entrepreneurship | Sydney Catholic Schools

Innovation in HSC Design and Technology major projects

Three Year 12 graduates from Sydney Catholic Schools received seed funding through education initiative UpRising to develop their 2023 HSC Design and Technology major works.

The strategic partnership with the NSW Government, Institute of Technology Education (iTE), universities, and future-focused businesses aims to give senior Design and Technology students the entrepreneurial skills and support to turn their major works into viable commercial products, supporting the innovation ecosystem.

It was started by former Sydney Catholic Schools Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) teacher Richard Hainsworth in 2021, with 50 students from nine NSW government, Catholic and independent schools in the pilot.

Here UpRising’s 2023 seed funding recipients share the concepts behind their societal need-driven designs.

The projects

Eva Kolokotsas, Domremy College Five Dock

Mycelium coffee table

Eva grew a biodegradable coffee table after observing the amount of curb-side furniture around Sydney destined for landfill.

She discovered mycelium – mushroom fibres that can be harvested and heat treated to create a strong lightweight, sustainable building material – while researching sustainable packaging.

“There is a lot of waste of fast furniture,” she said. “I thought I could use mycelium to solve that need.”

Eva grew and harvested mycelium before mixing it with hemp hurd, water and other materials to produce her design, then baked it in an oven.

“The heat kills off all the active mycelium, so I’m left with the raw material,” Eva said. “It doesn’t alter the size but it makes it much lighter. You can biodegrade it.”

Eva plans to study law at university next year. Through UpRising, a …

UpRising: Entrepreneurship career pathways for young people

A sector-blind education initiative to help Year 12 students give their HSC Design and Technology major projects a life beyond the classroom is gaining momentum across NSW.

UpRising is the brainchild of Sydney Catholic Schools’ Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) teacher Richard Hainsworth.

A pilot of the program – a strategic partnership with NSW Government, the Institute of Technology Education (iTE), and a collective of future-focused businesses – began in March with 50 students from thirteen government, Catholic and independent schools across the state.

Richard, who teaches at Brigidine College Randwick, said the project aimed to provide a clear pathway for young designers and businesses to collaborate in a meaningful way, including in the research and development space.

The program also allows students to develop saleable ideas alongside core entrepreneurial skills.

“UpRising acts as a conduit between HSC design students and industry” – Richard Hainsworth

“The need for a system to assist young talent, and for industry to make early connections, is critical in preparing for tomorrow’s skills shortages and technological disruption,” Mr Hainsworth said.

CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM

Mr Hainsworth said the HSC Design and Technology syllabus drew on many of the skills and capabilities entrepreneurs require, including the ability to solve problems and connect with a target market.

“For the HSC major project, you have to really drill down into a genuine need in society,” he said. “These projects are often commercially viable by the end of the design process and, from an ecological and positive impact perspective, ready to go.”

Current projects include lamps made of recycled seaweed, a COVID-safe workspace, equipment to reduce breast injuries in women’s contact sport, a drone to collect …

Innovation in HSC Design and Technology major projects

UpRising: Entrepreneurship career pathways for young people

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