The best 2024 HSC projects from Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design students from across NSW are currently on display at the SHAPE exhibition.

Housed at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct and curated by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), the exhibition features 55 exceptional works created by public and private school students.

Among them is Amanda Smith, from Northern Beaches Secondary College, Mackellar Girls Campus, who drew on the love of her job as a lifesaver for her project.

Amanda designed the LifeLink Buoy to address the critical issue of after-hours drownings and incidents at unpatrolled beaches. 

The buoy is a 24/7 emergency device equipped with a button that alerts emergency services. It also has a flotation device for rescues, and solar-powered technology for sustainability.

Designed for durability and visibility, the buoy aims to improve beach safety and reduce response times in high-risk areas by remaining on the water at all times.

“I chose my major work because of my lifelong involvement in surf lifesaving and my passion for improving beach safety, especially after witnessing the rise in after-hours and unpatrolled beach drownings,” Amanda said.

“I also witnessed the first-hand effects that drownings have on an individual, their family and the wider community after being actively involved as a rescuer in a mass after-hours rescue.  

 “What I liked most about the project was the opportunity to combine my love for innovation with real-world problem-solving, particularly testing and refining the buoy's design and technology to create a practical, life-saving solution.

“I really enjoyed talking to members of the community, like Surf Life Saving state operators, designers of the emergency response beacons, and others, to combine skills and knowledge to form the backbone of my design.” 

NESA Chief Executive Officer Paul Martin said the standard of design exceeded expectations. 

"It will be hard for the visiting public to understand that these works on display have been dreamt up and executed by teenagers,” Mr Martin said. 

"The projects are simply outstanding. They show deep and critical thinking. They show care and empathy for our environment and the people in it. They show expertise in design principles. 

"They celebrate student talent, but they also proudly reflect the expertise and passion of teachers who have harnessed their students’ real hunger and drive for innovation and design.”

With some 12,000 students enrolled in at least one Technologies course in 2024, 1,599 students were nominated by HSC markers and 55 were selected for the SHAPE showcase, a 38 per cent increase on works displayed in the previous year.

A new SHAPE Learning Lab will be unveiled in 2025 to give current students even greater access to projects and the development process. The Lab is an interactive dedicated space for technology students looking to dive deeper into the ideation and design process. 

SHAPE will run until 12 April. See the full list of students selected, make a booking or find out more by visiting the NESA Showcase Hub.External link