Innovation camp

Posted on: 02.05.2018

The first JA Macedonia Innovation Camp competition was organized on 15 December 2017 in Skopje. The massive response from schools resulted in having 139 students from 28 high schools grouped in 23 teams of 6 students (instead of 100 students in 20 teams of 5 which is the basic concept of the competition). Students from all Macedonian regions (Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Probistip, Bitola, Ohrid, Resen, Valandovo, Gevgelija, Prilep, Kavadarci, Tetovo, Veles, Berovo, Strumica, Stip and Skopje) first got to know each other in a series of icebreaking and teambuilding activities. Then the students were split up into teams of six from different schools and “launched” into the problem-solving phase.  The challenge was to design a product or service that will contribute to local energy efficiency.

During the day 16 business volunteers from private, public and NGO sector were at students’ disposal for advice and support in the development of business ideas.

Students divided the different tasks among themselves, making use of the individual strengths of everyone while further developing their interpersonal skills.

At the end of the day, the teams appeared before the panel of the jury and public and presented their business plans in 3 minutes time per team.

Before the presentations, opening remarks were given by Caroline Jenner, CEO of JA Europe, Edward Gonzalez, USAID Macedonia GDO and Vlado Dimovski, Advisor at the Ministry of Education.

Three winning teams received awards. The jury decided that according to all criteria team no. 4 developed and presented the best business idea. These students offered a solution in the form of an application that helps people buy a new electric product at a favorable price and at the same time reduce the amount of their electricity bill.

Photos of the event – LINK

Video of the event – LINK

 

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