Students share their crazy ideas

A SOCIAL innovation initiative helping local secondary school students make ideas a reality has been held at La Trobe University over two days.

Participants of Crazy Ideas College’s Social Innovators program worked through a series of activities using a design thinking process, connecting empathy, social awareness and entrepreneurial skills to enact change in their communities.

Crazy Ideas College co-director Zoe Burrows said it provides opportunities for students to lead and shape conversations about what they want their world to look like.

“Our experience has shown that when young people are equipped with futures thinking and human-centred design skills, they develop a sense of optimism and see the difference they can make in their communities. Their ingenuity and resourcefulness are inspiring,” she said.

“Crazy Ideas College is an organisation that’s really interested in thinking about how we equip, connect and unleash young people to do crazy good. “What we mean by that is to equip them with skills that are highly valued by business and community, and help them understand and form meaningful connections beyond their school gate.”

Ms Burrows said you can think about the program as being in two phases.

“The first phase is focusing on that skill building aspect. The second phase is about getting moving with forming the connections, and learning how to bring a project plan to fruition with a social innovation mindset,” she said.

“It’s helping them understand the importance of community and strengthening their connection to place as well.

“There’s other good outcomes that can come from this program.

“One of them is increased confidence, because from the beginning to by the end of the program they’ve worked in teams, they’ve worked with schools, and they’ve presented in front of community and business partners.”