Learning to Innovate: Lace Hockey Digi Inventors Challenge

The Digi Inventors Competition was a fun process that we have all grown to be very fond of over the time we spent on it. To enter the competition, we had to create a video and write a detailed research report about our plans  and how we were going to execute this mainstream idea. All entries were then submitted to our ICT teacher, Mr Walker, who decided that our group was worthy of being submitted as one of the 681 entries in the competition. A few weeks later, we got in!

The lead-up to the boot camp was an anxious wait, and the four of us were always trying to perfect our video so it was good enough. In this preparation period (this was in October) we also learned to work together as a team, which was one of our most helpful assets at the boot camp.

We learnt a lot at the Digi Inventors boot camp, and it was very fun and educational. First, we got 10 minutes to present our original pitch to five mentors who then gave us constructive feedback, which we took into consideration when making and developing our final presentation. We got to use VR headsets to see how technology can teach us life skills such as calling 999, doing CPR, and the experience was surreal. We got to go on a video call with a Dubai team who also gave us feedback. We learnt what target market, financial problems, social media approach and business model were and how to implement that into our presentation.

The final video call was a spectacular way to end, showcasing our work after many weeks of practice and ideas. We got the opportunity to watch more experienced groups and their presentations, exploring different approaches to various concepts and ideas. We felt anxious about this final presentation, constantly worrying that we would make mistakes or run out of time, but in the end, after the presentation, we felt very relieved and proud of ourselves. Despite minor mistakes, we learnt so much about how to improve further and create an even more perfected piece of work.

It was fun to see all the different ideas from the schools around Scotland and from Dubai, and learn how to plan and add different features to our app. We enjoyed speaking to mentors and having this opportunity. Even just seeing the university and workspaces was good to have an idea for the future (and we felt very professional). We even enjoyed the lunches (we all thought they were amazing).

Even if we don't win, this was overall such a great experience, developing confidence and creativity. We learnt a lot about presentational skills such as the business model, and how a presentation is so much more effective and clearer with only a couple of headings and a lot of visual aspects. We went over the final presentation with Miss Hall and Mr Walker at break and at lunch, which we found really helpful! We're all coming out of this competition with so much knowledge gained, and this is an experience that we will cherish forever.

Thank you so incredibly much to Miss Hall, Mrs Grey, Miss Rynne and especially to Mr Walker. Miss Hall (our business teacher) supported us through it all. Miss Rynne and Mrs Grey helped us on the journey there to the boot camp and gave extremely helpful input! And finally, thanks to Mr Walker for selecting us to represent the school and believing in us and our strengths, also helping us with every stage and encouraging us so much. We wouldn’t have made it so far without you all and we hope to implement all these amazing skills into further opportunities. Thank you from LACE HOCKEY!!

Written by Cherry, Emma, Autumn and Laya (U4)