We’re giving students across regional Victoria the chance to pitch their ideas on the future of public transport with the expansion of the Regional Rail Revival Design Challenge 2050 competition.
After a successful pilot program in the Bendigo region last year, this year’s Design Challenge has been expanded to primary and secondary schools in the Ballarat, Gippsland and Geelong regions.
A team-based competition for students from years 4 to 10, the Design Challenge encourages students to develop innovative design ideas for the future of rail travel in response to the question: What does the smart and connected city of 2050 look like?
Students have the chance to be creative as they explore ways to better the experience of train travel, improve the way passengers get around a station, and use smart and sustainable technology for a more enjoyable journey.
The most innovative design ideas will be shortlisted, with students explaining their concepts to a panel of rail experts from Rail Projects Victoria and competing to win prizes for themselves and their schools.
The winners of the inaugural challenge in 2020 – a group of students in Years 7 and 8 from Bendigo South East College – pitched the concept of using augmented reality to educate train travellers about the indigenous and historical landmarks on their train journey.
Schools and students are supported during the challenge through a series of guided learning hours and mentoring workshops, with regional Tech Schools helping teams to develop their ideas and learn more about the rail industry.
The Regional Rail Revival Design Challenge 2050 continues Rail Projects Victoria’s commitment to education, building on the success of last year’s challenge and the Minecraft Mini Melbourne as part of the Metro Tunnel Education Program.