NSW Parliament takes part in Innovation Bootcamp

MPs were exposed to coding, robotics, the internet of things, and tech projects by local school students

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New South Wales ministers and legislative council members were today invited to attend an innovation boot camp in Sydney, exposing them to the fundamentals of coding, robotics and entrepreneurial thinking demonstrated by NSW students.

Ministers and start-ups attending the ‘Coding and Innovation Boot Camp’, hosted by Intel Australia, witnessed computer coding skills, interactive Internet of Things projects, and were able to imagine Australia's technology future.

Attendees were greeted by eight-foot tall ‘Chip the Robot’, powered by Intel. Students from six local primary and secondary schools showcased their own technology solutions, which included soccer-playing robots, drones designed to drop aid in Nepal, programmed musical guitars, remote weather stations, and interactive games, among others.

Opening the event at Parliament House, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Victor Dominello, encouraged students to continue their digital journey, saying their skills will provide them with the knowledge and jobs needed in the information age.

“The NSW Government is embracing innovation and digital disruption as the way forward in developing better solutions to our economic and social challenges, and to meet the needs of our tech-savvy, connected citizens,” Dominello said.

“Open data is changing how industry, business and government interact and collaborate, and it is inspiring to see school students engage with these vital concepts and opportunities.”

Bootcamp attendees were greeted by Intel's eight-foot tall 'Chip the Robot'

The event was also a way to promote Intel’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education program that uses technology to deepen critical thinking. This year Intel launched a pilot of the program with 15 NSW schools to encourage students to create and invent their own technology with programmable Intel Galileo boards.

“Being tech creators rather than mere consumers, challenging established paradigms, taking risks, generating new business models, valuing data, being entrepreneurial. All these qualities drive innovation and they’re about to be in great demand in NSW,” said Intel MD, Kate Burleigh.