The future of New Zealand's STEMM sector is looking bright, and we at Aspeq are proud to have played a part in nurturing the next generation of innovators.
Judging Innovation in Action
Our Marketing and Communications Lead, Amie, recently had the privilege of judging the Innovation Challenge at the Innovative Young Minds (IYM) Residential Programme. This wasn't just any ordinary competition, it was a chance to witness 40 enthusiastic young women tackle one of New Zealand's environmental challenges.
The brief was ambitious: develop an innovative STEMM solution to reduce carbon emissions from road freight transport. Trucks move 93% of New Zealand's domestic freight and contributes 4.3% of our total greenhouse gas emissions.
Rising to the Challenge
"It's a daunting task to come up with an innovative idea to a real world problem, but also to stand up in front of a room of people and present these ideas and be prepared to answer questions," Amie reflects. "I was blown away with not only the level of thought and interesting innovation ideas, but also the confidence to make their presentations."
Over just a few days, eight teams of young women transformed from nervous participants into confident presenters, each delivering polished four-minute pitches followed by Q&A sessions. They were judged on their ability to define the issue, the innovation of their solution, the value it could bring, their teamwork, and their presentation skills.
Investing in Tomorrow's Leaders
Aspeq's sponsorship enabled three young women to attend this programme, providing them with opportunities they might not otherwise have had. By removing financial barriers, ensures that talent and passion - not financial circumstances - determine who gets to participate in this experiences.
"The future is bright if this is representative of the next generation of young women," Amie concluded after seeing the calibre of thinking and problem-solving on display.
Why This Matters
Supporting programmes like IYM isn't just about giving back – it's about investing in New Zealand's future. These young women aren't just learning about STEMM; they're developing the critical thinking, presentation skills, and confidence needed to become tomorrow's innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
At Aspeq, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to reach their potential. That's why we're committed to continuing our support for initiatives that break down barriers and create opportunities for the next generation of game-changers.
