Holy Spirit College Bellambi student’s innovative road safety solution gets national attention

News | Holy Spirit College Bellambi student’s innovative road safety solution gets national attention

Posted 16 September 2022 by Catholic Education in News

Young innovator, Thomas Walker, a Year 12 student at Holy Spirit College, Bellambi is aspiring to reduce deaths on and around our roads with his design innovation, 'Illuma Ride', which alerts drivers to the position of other road users through a wearable set of solar-powered indicators.

Thomas’ ingenuity was recognised during the STEM MAD (Making a Difference) Showcase at this year’s National Catholic Education Commission Conference, where he took out the competitive award in the Secondary category: the Artful Ingenuity Design AwardThomas was also a finalist in the Future is STEM Award category.

Thomas said the Illuma Ride wearable indicators, which double as passive hazard lights, are intended to be worn by cyclists, scooter riders, and even runners. 

“With the increased presence of e-scooters and e-bikes being introduced into most states, Illuma Ride is a must-have product,” he said. “It has the potential to prevent many deaths and injuries.”

The showcase provides an exciting opportunity for primary and secondary students to share their projects with peers and judges and demonstrates how students in Catholic schools are taking practical action to make a difference in the world by acting for justice and the common good.

Participants had the honour of listening to the keynote speaker, Dr Jordan Nguyen, one of Australia’s most innovative engineers, who spoke about his journey of design and innovation. This was a great opportunity for students to be further inspired by what the world of STEM has to offer.

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CEDoW Education Officer, Scott Llamas, said Thomas’ design reflected the intention of the showcase, to acknowledge and promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning initiatives that address real-world problems. 

“Thomas’ enthusiasm in sharing his learning with an extensive range of adults and other students from across the national Catholic network was noteworthy,” he said. “He confidently presented his design innovation succinctly, answering questions posed by his audience with honesty and self-reflection.”

Holy Spirit College Design and Technology teacher, Jason Smith, said Thomas was up against some fierce competition. 

“Judges were impressed with Thomas' design creativity, focus on safety, and execution of practical skills,” he said. “He was a great ambassador for the diocese. We hope to continue this success with more submissions to STEM MAD in 2023.”

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) primary schools also shared in the innovation success, with Year 5 students from St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Narellan Vale, Amelia-Maree Beauchamp and Victoria Russell, taking out the Best STEM Ambassador Award and named as finalists in the Primary Social Justice Award for their ‘Swag in a Bag’ project.

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Inspired by the call to help the thousands of people sleeping rough on our streets, the students' design includes a tent and a variety of goods to help those who have nowhere safe to sleep. 

"Swag in a Bag isn’t going to solve the problem but hopefully it can make a small difference by providing people with a safer, more comfortable space to sleep", Amelia-Maree and Victoria said.

Congratulations also to St Clare’s students, Benjamin Sciffer and Sammuel Belanszky, for their ‘Prosthetic Leg’, and to Grace Walsh and Eric McMullen for their ‘Garbage Bin Sweeper’. Also to St Pius X Catholic Primary School, Unanderra students, Katelyn Hicks, Sienna Christou, Addison Bonham, and Noah Vincent for their ‘Hydration Station’.

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Special thanks to the CEDoW teachers who supported students, Jason Smith, Andrew Hales, Katrina Crews, and Lisa-Maree Beauchamp. The CEDoW STEM MAD award winners will be announced at Spotlight 22, which will be held on 27-28 October. 

Photographs by the National Catholic Education Commission / The School Photographer 


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