Questacon Invention Convention at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones, Source: News Corp Australia.

Questacon Invention Convention encourages young people to develop creativity, news.com.au, 17 April 2015

An invention convention at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is encouraging budding entrepreneurs to develop their creativity and imagination.

Asha Ratcliffe and Harriet Goldsbro, both 12, were among a group of young people at the Questacon Invention Convention using robotics and sensors to solve problems.

The pair designed probe to test the acidity of coral reefs.

“Our youngsters are capable of so much — a lot more than we give them credit for, particularly with new technology,” Questacon director Professor Graham Durant said.

“[This] is a program designed to help young people develop creativity and imagination and team work.”

Asha said she and Harriet, who are both students at Fahan School, enjoyed a recent Questacon workshop at their school so decided to take part in the three-day convention, which began yesterday.

Prof Durant said Questacon — Australia’s national science and technology centre — wanted to give young people a chance to be creative in a stress-free environment and to learn how to develop their ideas.

“With the right help and mentoring [young people can] start themselves on a journey that can lead them to either setting up their own business or getting a career in technology.”

As for Asha and Harriet, Asha says she would like to be a teacher while Harriet would like to be a marine biologist.