Shark Tank event seeks ways to protect native species

In May, 40 eager a-konga and eight dedicated kaiako from across the Otago region gathered for Otepoti’s first ever Shark Tank event. The venue, Orokonui Sanctuary, provided an awe-inspiring backdrop for an unforgettable experience, as Tash McLellan explains.

“On the first day, the sanctuary’s incredible rangers captivated a - konga, (all in Years 7-9), as they rotated around four different stations. Immersed in the sanctuary’s work and the challenges they face, a - konga learnt about the extraordinary efforts the sanctuary is making to protect our environment.

“The following day brought a new level of excitement as a - konga formed teams of four and collaborated to design innovative digital solutions. With guidance from Brenton Wyett, an expert from Amazon Web Services (AWS), kaiako also had the opportunity to explore the power of AWS Spark and its potential to enhance the current curriculum.

Brilliant Ideas

“In the afternoon, each team had their moment to shine as they pitched their brilliant ideas, which include banded chips to track the birds powered by perpetual motion, arcade games to educate about endangered birds, and digital monitoring of pest traps through motion sensors. Amidst fierce competition, it was a team from John McGlashan College who claimed the top spot. “Shark Tank Otepoti not only provided a platform for digital learning and problem-solving but also served as a reminder of the incredible potential our youth possess to shape a better future.”

Tash McLellan is a MOE accredited PLD facilitator at impactED and was in charge of organising and leading this event. For information about future Shark Tank events go to impacted.co.nz/events/

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Games

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History

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