An app featuring information on sustainable living has won the secondary school category of the 2024 Game Changer Challenge, with the slogan ‘Reduce cost, reduce waste, repurpose to your taste.”

The concept was developed by the DAYTS team from Auburn Girls High School and also incorporated a social network so young people could share upcycling and repurposing ideas, as well as project updates.

While the team was overjoyed to win the challenge, they also learned a lot through the process.

“We can be game changers without even being in the competition, we can make an impact on the world,” the team said.

“We also learned to enjoy the movement - you can’t go repeat it or go back.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar presented the awards, giving special thanks to the teachers who had supported the students through the competition.

“All of the teams presented such a diversity of ideas during the grand final, showcasing the unique perspectives our clever public school students are able to generate and the value of the Game Changer Challenge platform,” Mr Dizdar said.

“Developing concepts that tackle challenges, such as fast fashion or improving health access, requires determination, passion and creativity, which are critical skills that will help students for the rest of their lives.”

First-time Game Changers, Mindful Masterminds, from Pacific Palms Public School won the primary school category, wowing the judges with their idea for AI doctor help pods.

The team conducted research in their Mid North Coast community and found access to health care was the main issue affecting people.

“All of them were in different classes. Game Changer’s brought them together to create something incredible,” teacher Ebony Struwe said.

“They ARE Game Changers, and I love working with them.”

Mudgee Public School’s MPS Game Changers received the UNICEF Impact Award for their idea to create a Sustainable Sister Schools program.

Kooringal High School’s Funky Monkeys team was prestned with the Prototype Award after travelling from Wagga Wagga, while Bowral High School received the Teamwork Award for its concept to raise awareness around PFAS contamination.

More than 400 teams from across the state entered the 2024 Game Changer Challenge, with 120 competing in the virtual semi finals.

The top 20 then travelled to Parramatta to compete in this week’s three-day grand final, where teams received feedback from industry experts.

This year’s wicked problem was inspired by United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9, to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

The 2024 Game Changer Challenge was supported by Winc., Rothfield, UNICEF Australia, ABC Education, Adobe, Amazon Web Services, Arludo, ARUP, Canva, CD-Soft Educational Resources, Education Perfect, Engineering Ingenuity, EY, Food Ladder, HP Australia, IBM, JSL Advisory, KPMG, Macquarie Bank, Makedo, Mott MacDonald, Powerhouse Museum, Terracycle, Think Different Anyday, Tata Consulting Services, The Ed Institute, TOMRA Cleanaway, The University of NSW, Woolworths.

• This article was researched and written by Oliver Doak and Jeanne Perrin from Armidale Secondary College, Ariba Omar from Kooringal Secondary College and Emily Woo from Cherrybrook Technology High School.