3M and HIP2B² – From Strength to Strength

Building on the success of last year’s HIP2B² 3M Innovation Challenge, innovative multinational technology company 3M and non-profit youth organisation HIP2B² are gearing up for a reprise in 2013, along with new partner Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology.

The call is out now for Grade 10 learners to enter the 2013 Challenge, which tasks them with finding innovative solutions to everyday problems they face. Those entrants who make it to the final round will benefit from a week-long immersion in 3M’s wealth of intellectual and product resources, in support of their quest to become South Africa’s Top Young Innovator.

Backed by the Department of Education and lauded by Derek Hanekom, the Minister of Science and Technology, the Challenge is the brainchild of 3M and HIP2B², and is designed to inspire innovation in everyday life. The success of last year’s Challenge attracted the attention of the Innovation Skills Development Unit (ISD) of the TIA, which works to foster innovation skills within the innovation value chain from high school learners to Higher Education Institutions and research institutions. With the TIA’s additional support, the programme has been propelled into two new provinces — Eastern Cape and Limpopo — further broadening its reach into rural areas.

HIP2B² was founded in 2002 to promote the study of Maths, Science and Technology-related subjects as a means to develop problem solving skills and analytical thinking. Its ultimate aim is to contribute towards a growing culture of entrepreneurship, which will better ensure South Africa’s future economic prosperity.

“We rely on strong corporate partnerships like the one we have with 3M to keep on making a difference in the lives of South African learners, by unlocking their ‘inner innovator’ through fun, well-structured and well-resourced educational programmes like the Challenge,” said Cathryn Treasure, Managing Director of HIP2B². “3M has been totally committed to the success of this project, providing financial, product and human resources, and opening up their company facilities to our enthusiastic young competitors.”

3M is the science-based company behind a plethora of innovations, which permeate every industry. Internationally renowned as the creators of brands such as Post-it®Notes, Scotch® Tape, and Scotchgard™, 3M has also developed everything from safer surgical drapes to innovative air filtration systems and pocket projectors.

“Last year’s Challenge was a great success and made a massive impact on those learners who participated,” said Serita Essellaar, 3M Manager Corporate Services. “We are thrilled to be continuing a great working relationship with HIP2B², which with its emphasis on local problem-solving, gives effect to 3M’s ethos of Community Citizenship. We want to see the project ultimately feeding the pipeline of scarce skills in the fields of engineering and technology and changing perceptions of these fields.”

The HIP2B² 3M Innovation Challenge starts with an Awareness and Skills Development Campaign in urban townships and various rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo. Learners at these events are then invited to enter, in teams of two, their own innovation for a solution to a real problem that affects them, their family or their community, using science and maths applications. Two finalists per province will be selected by a judging panel of representatives from HIP2B2, 3M, TIA and other industry experts with a science or technical background.

Later in the year, the winning regional finalists from all five provinces will be exposed to an eye-opening week of career and personal development with industry specialists and mentors at 3M Headquarters in Johannesburg, culminating with a presentation of their conceived innovations to a judging panel.

“3M is closely aligned with HIP2B²’s inspirational quest to awaken the innovator in South African learners through changing teen’s perceptions about Maths and Science and encouraging them to continue with these studies to matric and beyond,” said Essellaar.

For more information and to enter a team into the 2013 HIP2B² 3M Innovation Challenge, please contact project manager, Riaan Tolken on 021 976 3366 or email riaan@wwd.co.za

URL: http://www.hip2b2.com/
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Author: Lisa van Leeuwen from Lisa van Leeuwen Publicity. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.

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