iNVENTIONATOR

Years 6–9 gifted learners.

Find out more about Ngā pūmanawa kia manawa tītī | Characteristics of the gifted.

• Explore innovative mind frames through six online resources.
• Complete related wero | challenges to sharpen their skills.
• Bring an idea or skill set to pitch.
• Collaborate and think critically to solve an everyday problem of local relevance.
• Use the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a guide.
• Participate in an awesome iNVENTIONATOR experience.
• Continue to grow your team's idea beyond iNVENTIONATOR.

No, the programme is completely FREE! iNVENTIONATOR is funded by the Ministry of Education as part of the events and opportunities for gifted learners initiative.

iNVENTIONATOR supports learners to use their gifts and talents to solve problems that matter to them and build better communities. It’s about further developing potential.

Read more about the characteristics of gifted learners.

Up to five ākonga per school.

• The virtual events are usually run over four half-days (mornings). Face-to-face events are usually run over 2–3 days depending on locality and circumstances for attending schools.
  In the lead up to the event learners will have online resources and wero|challenges to work through. 
• The time-frame to complete these resources can be adjusted depending on learner ability and time before the event. One suggestion is to complete one resource per day or each week if you have a longer lead in time to the event. They are designed for kaiako to use with their whole classes and align with the Social Studies Curriculum.

Learners will receive information to access the resources through the iNVENTIONATOR portal. Teachers, family and whānau can support students, helping them work through the resources and complete the wero.

Learners will bring an idea, but their idea doesn’t need to be fully developed and may change once they join a team.

During the virtual event, learners will work in teams, formed around ideas or skills pitched.

The pre-event online resources can be done individually, or with teacher, whānau or peer support.

To help ākonga make the most of iNVENTIONATOR you can:

• prepare a comfortable physical space for participants to work together
• ensure access to equipment needed i.e. stable wifi, devices, headphones, a large screen for groups if possible
• awhi or support students by checking in with them regularly
• support wellbeing of students and liaise with CORE facilitators if you think collaborative coaching or individual support is required.

What is iNVENTIONATOR and how can you use it to work with ākonga?

Listen now

Has your child has been selected to take part in iNVENTIONATOR?  We thought it would be valuable to provide some background information about the programme and it's benefits for your child. The following information, based on our virtual sessions, is intended to help you see how iNVENTIONATOR has been designed to complement (not replace) core classroom learning.  

What is the iNVENTIONATOR programme?

The programme is a short, intensive learning experience designed to extend learners’ thinking through real-world problem solving. Learners work in small teams to identify an issue that matters to them and then design a creative solution. It strengthens the skills learners use across all curriculum areas, such as thinking critically, communicating clearly, and working collaboratively.

What will ākonga be doing and learning?

In school before and then during the 4 days of the event, ākonga will:

• Explore real-world problems that are relevant to their lives
• Learn and apply a simple design-thinking process (understanding a problem, generating ideas, testing and improving solutions)
• Work collaboratively in a team to develop and present an idea.

Alongside this, ākonga are developing New Zealand Curriculum Capabilities, including:

• Communication – sharing ideas clearly, presenting to an audience
• Relating to Others – working effectively in a team, listening and responding to different perspectives
• Self-Management / Self-Regulation – managing time, staying focused, and contributing responsibly
• Problem Solving – investigating issues, generating and refining solutions
• Creativity – thinking innovatively and designing original ideas.

What is the schedule?

Each session typically includes:

• A short introduction to the day’s focus
• Hands-on group work where ākonga develop their ideas
• Opportunities to share progress and receive constructive feedback from mentors. They will also ask questions to help students further their thinking and refine their ideas. 

What are the “issues that matter to ākonga”?

Ākonga are supported to choose topics that feel meaningful to them. These might include:

• Environmental sustainability (e.g. reducing waste)
• Ākonga wellbeing
• Improving school or community spaces
• Responding to local or global challenges

The intention is to give ākonga genuine voice and choice.

How do ākonga develop skills as designers, planners, and team players?

Ākonga are explicitly guided to:

• Design: generate, sketch, and refine ideas
• Plan: organise tasks, set goals, and manage time
• Collaborate: take on roles, listen actively, and contribute to group decisions.

What methods and techniques are used?

The iNVENTIONATOR programme uses age-appropriate approaches drawn from design thinking and inquiry learning, including:

• Brainstorming and structured idea-generation
• Research and critical thinking activities
• Prototyping (e.g. drawing, modelling, mapping ideas)
• Group discussion, reflection, and feedback
• Teacher facilitation and coaching.

Which curriculum areas are covered?

The programme integrates multiple areas of the New Zealand Curriculum in a meaningful way, for example:

• Technology: design thinking, prototyping, developing solutions
• English: presentation skills, report writing, speaking and listening
• Reading: research skills, analysing and evaluating information
• Social Studies: exploring local and global issues, understanding perspectives
• Science: depending on the focus (e.g. environmental issues, life cycles, materials)
• Mathematics and Statistics: collecting and analysing data, surveys, graphing
• The Arts (Visual/Design): developing visual ideas such as logos or concept designs

What is the 'final' on Thursday?

On the final morning, usually a Thursday, all ākonga will have the opportunity to share their ideas to a panel of 2–3 judges. The panel offers constructive feedback and asks questions to help them reflect on their thinking. They will be judged on the following criteria;

1. Description – How well was the problem and the solution described? Did the judges understand what it was? Were the details well-thought out?
2. Rationale – Were the judges convinced by why this product needs to exist?
3. Delivery – Were the judges impressed by the pitch? Was it clear and easy to follow? Were slides, prototypes and other visuals used well?

Approximately six teams will be selected to present at the Final in the evening. Once again, they will present to a small panel and be judged in the same way.  The 'final' is a celebration for all learners to be a part of and to share what they have been doing with their whanau and friends. There is no test or formal qualification attached; it is an opportunity to build confidence and showcase their learning. Participants will receive a certificate of participation.

The iNVENTIONATOR programme is designed to complement (not replace) core classroom learning by strengthening the skills learners use across all curriculum areas, such as thinking critically, communicating clearly, and working collaboratively.