By Trace Reuss & the Product Innovation Society
How can we improve our daily quality of life?
The Innovator’s Cup, launched by the Product Innovation Society (PiS), is an event that encourages students to develop creative solutions to burning questions like this.
With over 100 participants, the competition invites students to form teams of two to five and design a product within a few months. The goal is to create innovative ideas while learning key design and entrepreneurial skills, using the Design Lab as a resource to bring these ideas to life. The Innovator’s Cup is centred around fostering innovation and problem-solving within the school community. We believe in the importance of engaging students in hands-on design projects, giving them a platform to apply their creativity and develop practical skills. The competition encourages students to think critically about the problems people face and explore how technology and design can offer solutions, especially in the area of well-being.
Each team is tasked with designing a product that addresses a specific need, whether that’s
improving physical health, mental well-being, or general convenience. This challenge provides
students with an opportunity to work collaboratively, learn about product development, and gain
experience with tools and technologies like 3D printers and Arduino kits, which are available in
the school’s Design Lab.
The competition has already generated a variety of ideas from the participating teams. Some of
the designs focus on improving students’ daily lives, while others aim to address broader societal
issues. For example, one of the ideas is a wall-mounted system that allows students to check their
schedules by scanning their student IDs. This would provide an easy way for students to access
their schedules
throughout the day without needing to use their phones or other devices during
the day.
Other notable projects include a wearable device designed to monitor and support mental health.
This product would track users’ stress levels and suggest relaxation techniques or reminders to
take breaks. Another team is working on a smart desk organizer that tracks time spent sitting and
encourages better posture, aiming to address some of the health concerns associated with
prolonged desk work.
These projects reflect the wide range of ideas emerging from the competition. Each design is a
response to a real-world problem, with students leveraging their technical and creative skills to
find practical solutions.
The Innovator’s Cup offers several incentives for the top teams. The first-place team will receive
a $500 gift card, while the second and third-place teams will receive $200 and $100 gift cards,
respectively. These prizes are meant to reward creativity and effort, as well as provide students
with resources to continue their work on future projects.
The evaluation process is rigorous and involves a panel of judges who will assess the designs
based on three factors: innovation, functionality, and presentation. The top teams will have the
opportunity to present their ideas to the judges in a format similar to a “Shark Tank” pitch, where
they will explain the concept, development process, and practical application of their product.
In the coming months, the competition will culminate in the pitch presentations. Teams will
present their designs to a panel, which will include teachers, industry professionals, and possibly
alumni. This event will be a key part of the competition, offering students the chance to
demonstrate their work and receive valuable feedback from experts in the field.
We also have other projects. For example, we recently designed a buzzer-alert system using Arduino and 3D-printed components that notify elderly
individuals when their food delivery is nearby. Another project involves a device that can
automatically open a locker lock, offering a practical application of Arduino technology. These
projects highlight the club’s focus on creating solutions that are both innovative and useful.
The PiS design competition provides an opportunity for students to engage in the process of
innovation, from concept to prototype. It encourages creativity, teamwork, and practical
problem-solving, all while fostering a culture of innovation within the school. Whether or not
they win a prize, participants gain valuable experience that can help them in future endeavours
and ventures, particularly in fields related to entrepreneurship, engineering, and design.
As the competition progresses, it will be interesting to see what other ideas emerge. The PiS club
continues to support student innovation, helping young people develop skills that could shape the
future of technology and design.
We hope to continue to run The Innovator’s Cup in future years and with new aspiring leaders!
Editor’s note:
Congratulations to first-round winners, the Squirrels! There will be one more round in April. There will be more updates soon!
Winner’s Presentation (Credit to Kevin Zhao, Yiming Liu, Owen Zhang, and the Product Innovation Society)
The Blue and White 