ST Clare’s College students from the SWITCH Robotics Club have won an Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) iAward in the Student & Education Solution category. 

Their project, “Light Up the Roads”, was created as a prototype to illuminate handheld signs used by traffic controllers in the hope that better signage illumination would lower accidents and prevent fatalities on roads. 

“Students have taken their idea through several iterations, seeking feedback by entering the prototype in other STEM challenges to refine their idea as something that could be produced in industry,” says a St Clare’s spokesperson.  

“Using the newly opened Maker Space and learning how to use the tools and equipment in the college, the students come together weekly to work on their STEM projects.”

She said the students used data to drive their project, seeking information about the prevalence of road crashes, fatalities and injuries caused at night and in poorly lit areas. 

“Using this data they decided on a problem that they could solve with technology. They learnt soldering, engineering skills and investigated simple programming to create the prototype,” she said.   

“It was the students’ first attempt at entering the iAwards and they were selected as finalists out of 220 entries and then narrowed down to two submissions in the Student and Education category. 

“The girls are now planning to travel to Adelaide to represent the ACT in late August.  

“There has never been a more important time to encourage young women to attempt competitions such as these. 

“Industry professionals are telling the college at every event how they need more women in IT. The support shown to the students at the AIIA event encourages young women to consider careers in technology as they solve real-world problems and learn skills they can use in future careers.”  

The spokesperson said the team congratulated the ANU entry as merit winners in the category and thanked Canberra Data Centers for sponsoring their attendance at the awards. 

The SWITCH Team received some support through the Canberra Southern Cross Club Community Rewards Program and was grateful to the Canberra community for their support of the students as they prepare to travel for the national finals.