Bees with Backpacks Design Challenge

 

 

 

 

We are pleased to announce the CSIRO + Tech Schools Bees with Backpacks Design Challenge 2020.

 

*NOTE - Entry submission date has been changed to Oct 9*

 

In partnership with CSIRO and sponsored by Telstra, selected Tech Schools are inviting young designers, coders and makers in Years 5-10 + VCAL to join a global project to save bees from extinction.  

 

In this design challenge, students will study food security, bees and bee behaviour to design a local habitat to increase bee activity. Finalists will be mentored by industry to prepare their pitch for the ultimate bee friendly habitat.

 

The challenge includes an entire STEM unit of extensive learning modules and curriculum mapping. Students will learn the importance of honeybees in maintaining biodiversity across the world and will explore the issues behind the decline of bee populations over the past five decades. An interactive online student workbook is available for online delivery of the Bees with Backpacks Design Challenge.

 

Please contact us for more information: [email protected]

 

Competition Outline and Resource Pack


Design Challenge Poster

 

CSIRO Bees With Backpacks Fact Sheets


Student Workbook

 

Teacher Workbook

 

BONUS: Tech Futures Talk - Future of Food: Bees, Innovation and Technology [Register here]

 

WATCH: Teacher Info Briefing

 

WATCH: Challenge immersion session with bee industry and biosecurity experts - contact us for the video link

 

 

KEY DATES Timeline

Bees with Backpacks
Learning Program

13 – 31 Jul

Weeks 2-4, Term 3

Teachers deliver modules 1-5 in class

Teacher Info Briefing (Streaming)

Tue 21 Jul

Week 2 Term 3, 2020

Information session for teachers - all challenge documents supplied

Challenge Immersion Session

Tue 4 Aug

Week 4 , Term 3, 2020

Streaming online

Explore themes and ideas for Bee Friendly

environments with presentations from CSIRO, Beekeeper Organisations and Tech Schools 1.5 hours - recording available

Registration

By 11 Sep

Teams to register no later than this date

Entry Development Time

5 Aug – 25 Sep

Weeks 4 - 11 Term 3, 2020

Limited online challenge support workshops available at host Tech Schools during this time

Submission of entries

9 Oct

Week 1, Term 4, 2020

Entries submitted by the due date

Regional Winners

16 Oct

Week 2, Term 4, 2020

Winning Regional Teams notified

Pitch Workshop

Date TBC Week 3, Term 4, 2020

Online

For all winning regional teams prior to pitch final

Pitch Final

Date TBC Week 5, Term 4, 2020

Live event

Winning regional teams and teachers attend online pitch final with CSIRO, Industry, community and Tech Schools

Get in touch

Contact us

Phone:
03 5444 7113
Address:
Level 3, Engineering & Technology Building,
La Trobe University,
Sharon Street, Flora Hill