Global issues and creative solutions
The only way to truly empower children in their creative thinking is to take them seriously – as seriously as a group of actual designers. The Bright Ideas project – an initiative by Shell – centres on global issues and encourages children to come up with creative solutions to these problems. During the Bright Ideas Challenge, we translated the wondrous and wacky technological ideas of seventh graders into professional VR simulations. The project – which also includes the Bright Ideas Hub, a futuristic travelling dome – enables children to playfully encounter the worlds of science and technology.
Learning on and offline
Like a glowing light bulb, the Bright Ideas Hub symbolizes a moment of inspiration. The high-tech dome – which travels throughout the Netherlands for three years – is the physical half of the project. The virtual side, the Bright Ideas Challenge, is an inspirational concept-based digital platform aimed at grade-seven Dutch students. Developed, designed and implemented by NorthernLight, the project is part of Shell’s Generation Discover initiative. Both the hub and the challenge put three global issues – water, food and energy – in the spotlight. Aided by interactive and high-tech elements in the physical space, children take the lead in addressing these situations. Extending engagement beyond the concrete environment, the challenge reiterates the themes established in the hub. Open for participation until 2020, the digital platform helps children to realize their ability to develop smart ideas that make a positive contribution to their future – and the future of all humanity. Thousands of kids have already started the challenge, producing inspiring and incredible initial results.
Compete, conceptualize, collaborate
The hub’s futuristic, high-tech experience incorporates virtual and augmented realities, as well as interactive competitions. Kids explore the challenges of water, food and energy at one of three half-globes, where they play games, take on a robot quizmaster and collaborate to build the city of the future.
The challenge comprises a digital platform – which can be shown on a school’s digiboards – and the Bright Ideas book. Children can use the latter to gain inspiration and sketch their ideas. A jury that includes popular vlogger Dylan Haegens selects the winners, whose ideas will be rendered and visualized in virtual reality for the world to view through VR headsets. Winners will also be on display during the Generation Discover Festival in October. The Bright Ideas Challenge is consistent with the core learning objectives set by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. By following the Bright Ideas online curriculum and visiting the hub, students are introduced to science and technology in an interactive and engaging way.
More information: https://brightideas.generationdiscover.nl
30000
children/
year
8,3
rating by participants
15
ideas selected/year
The hub
The challenge
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