Exciting and diverse student submissions were received for the 2021 BCIT Student Innovation Challenge. Ranging from a real-time orca detection system, tea bagless tea, brain-computer interface system, to a company that focuses on sustainable designs for home renovation.
This annual contest attracts students with bright ideas and provides support, encouragement, and funding to support students in realizing their vision.
“Every year I am truly amazed at the innovative ideas our students submit for the Student Innovation Challenge,” says Kathy Kinloch, President, BCIT “This challenge encourages students to think outside the box and inspires them to believe their ideas can one day become a reality”.
The virtual awards ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 28 at 3 pm where BCIT President Kathy Kinloch, along with Kim Dotto, Dean Applied Research presented the students with their awards:
First Place ($5,000)
- Applied Research category was awarded to Aileen Maynard, John Matson, and Jonathan Oliveros from the School of Energy for “Real‐Time Orca Detection System” – an innovation that will help prevent endangered killer whales from ship strikes in our local waters.
- Austin Molby from the School of Construction and the Environment for the Entrepreneurship category for his innovation “Tea Gems” – a tableted dose of 100% natural “teabag less” tea that you can take on the go with hot or cold water.
Second Place ($1,500)
- Applied Research category to Harvy Takhar from the School of Construction and the Environment for “Connected Blue‐Green Roofs” – a hybrid solution that aims to harvest the benefits from green-roof vegetation and improved blue-roof water retention and detention.
- Aman Duisek and Mike Chen from School of Energy and Rakhymzhan Duisek from the School of Business + Media for Entrepreneurship for “Tatti Food” – a mobile application that offers special deals with low prices and serves as a powerful advertising engine, generating sales and stronger brand recognition for the restaurants.
Third Place ($500)
- Applied Research category to Dmitriy Kalinov, Billal Rahimi, Owen Ternoway, and Max Horie from the School of Energy for “Brain-Computer Interface for the Physically Impaired” – which allows patients with severe disabilities to communicate their needs through mind control.
- Mustaffa Hamad from the School of Construction and the Environment for the Entrepreneurship category for his submission “Green Space Minded” – a renovation company that will identify specific materials and resources with the lowest environmental impacts and produces the least waste and pollution generation.
Honorable Mention (BCIT Applied Research Prize Pack)
- Honourable mention in Entrepreneurship was awarded to Kelsey Wong from the School of Construction and the Environment for “Enhancing Your Dining Experience with the Click of a Button” – a web-based application to help you solve this age-old question: where should we go for dinner?
We would like to thank Donald Yen, a BCIT donor, for the new Sustainability Prize this year. Donald Yen virtually presented this award ($1,500) at the ceremony to Harvy Takhar from the School of Construction and the Environment for his idea “Connected Blue-Green Roofs”.
“I am grateful that BCIT provides the support for my idea, and others’ too, to grow beyond a project or research,” said Harvy Takhar, School of Construction and Environment award winner “This award will help me accelerate launching a company, thank you BCIT!”
Thank you to our 2021 sponsors: Panatch Group, JTS Consulting Inc., Odlum Brown, EB Horsman and Son, ITIQ Recruiters, Murray Latta, Westland Insurance Group Ltd, and EllisDon Corporation – due to their combined support, $14,000 was awarded to these seven bright and talented BCIT student groups.
Also a huge thank you to our judges for the initial round: Brent Dunn, Cynthia Van Ginkel, Richard Haire, Naveen Jit, Jonathan Bassan, Joe Boyd, Carol Wenzel, and Garrett Kryt; and to pitch round judges Travis Stevenson JTS Consulting Inc., Bogdan Botoi EB Horsman and Son, Michael Suen Odlum Brown, Jonathan Bassan, and Kim Dotto.
ABOUT THE BCIT STUDENT INNOVATION CHALLENGE
The BCIT Student Innovation Challenge is an annual contest aimed at providing support, encouragement, and funding to BCIT students who have “bright ideas”. Since its founding, the Student Innovation Challenge has inspired interesting and innovative student projects. The Challenge is managed by the Applied Research Liaison Office in collaboration with BCIT Schools, and the Student Association Entrepreneurial Services.