Harry Hillard dreams of traffic-free roads in Newcastle one day.
And, the St Joseph’s Merewether Year 5 student is determined to play a role in achieving that.
In fact, he’s designed an electric scooter that runs off renewable energy.
After engaging with experts from both community and industry, Harry recently showcased his design to esteemed panel members at the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s (DMN) Virtual Academy online presentation day.
More than 100 pupils from throughout the region also exhibited their individual projects, hoping to make the world a better place.
To say the judges – Damian Wicks (DMN chief information officer), Gary Christensen (Catholic Care Social Services Hunter-Manning director), Rebecca Heath (Virtual Academy coordinator), Gerard Mowbray (Catholic Schools Office – CSO – director of schools), Connie Skibinski (University of Newcastle PhD candidate and casual academic), Duncan Burck (Sustainnovation Challenge director), Zanne van Wyk (DMN head of data and analytics), Sophie Smith (DMN head of human resources), Sarah Cullen (CSO gifted education officer), Suzanne Fern (CSO head of teaching and learning), Anna Kerrigan (ASPIRE artistic director), Geraldine Blake (CSO vocational education officer), Cath Garrett-Jones (CSO parent liaison officer), Teresa Brierley (DMN head of pastoral ministries), Rachel James (DMN head of communications), Steve Lemos (CSO assistant director), Jacqueline Wilkinson (St Patrick’s Lochinvar principal), Christine Chapple (CSO education officer, secondary curriculum), Sean Scanlon (DMN CEO), Lisa Little (ASPIRE executive officer), Trish Coelho (CSO assistant director), Danielle Reed (St Columban’s Mayfield principal), Lizzie Snedden (CSO communications team) and Bernadette Gibson (CSO head of religious education) – were impressed is an understatement.
Every student tackled a conundrum, from encouraging people to return to businesses in the Newcastle CBD to planning the ideal community; from solving transport woes to becoming self-sufficient in the future; and much more.
All up, there were eight breakout rooms, which each included three panellists and one host, who provided feedback to the youngsters.
So, Harry’s no-nonsense traffic notion was just one of many to garner extra attention.
“I designed an electric scooter – that way there would be less cars on the road and less emissions,” he said.
“And, if they were advertised well enough, they’d be a big hit.
“There are some around but they’re not exactly legal.
“You can only ride them on private land.
“I thought I could make them safer to use on roads.
“There’s a speeding cam, so you know how fast you’re going.
“It would have some capped [speed] limits to it, too, in certain areas, like the ones currently around roads and footpaths.”
Sadly, Harry admitted it might be left to his “generation” to solve the issues surrounding climate change.
“Emissions are going up, which is a problem,” he said.
“And, our world leaders aren’t doing much to combat it.
“They need to create a solution.
“I came up with the idea while watching a news story about electric scooters – and how more people are riding them.
“I actually thought to myself ‘they’re not that safe’.
“But, they can be if the right rules and technology are implemented.”
Harry praised the Virtual Academy concept, which implements high-quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities for highly-to-profoundly gifted students.
“I love that it’s a supportive environment and you can ask questions whenever you want,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“You’re also able to choose your own topic.
“It’s not like a set class structure.
“It is a project for the whole year, so you get the time to really work on, and think about, it.
“The skills workshop was informative; and I learnt about things like Tinkercad, an online 3D modelling program, Microsoft Photos and Premier Pro.
“That was good.”
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