Big Ideas Start Here: Year 5 Evening of Innovation at Helena College
Helena College's Year 5 students are putting their creativity, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills to work through an innovative learning project.
What if a rubbish bin rewarded you for disposing of litter? Could an innovative crossing help protect ducks from traffic? And how might we give unwanted clothing a second life?
These are just some of the questions Helena College students have explored through the annual Year 5 Evening of Innovation project.
Our 2026 Year 5 students began their own projects at the start of Term Four, embarking on a journey that will take them from identifying a real-world problem to designing, developing and presenting an innovative solution.
What is the Year 5 Evening of Innovation?
The Evening of Innovation is a collaborative, cross-curricular learning project undertaken by Year 5 students at Helena College's Darlington Campus.
The project challenges students to look at the world around them, identify a genuine need or problem and consider how an invention or innovation might make a difference.
Working in groups, students select an issue that interests them, research the problem and investigate possible solutions. They then plan their designs, construct prototypes and develop strategies to promote their inventions.
The project culminates in December, when students showcase their work through exhibition booths and presentations at the Evening of Innovation.
From everyday problems to inventive solutions
If previous years are anything to go by, there will be no shortage of imaginative ideas from our current Year 5 students.
Past projects have explored issues ranging from environmental protection and sustainability to animal welfare and everyday challenges.
One group developed Litter Critter, a proposed rubbish bin incorporating a grinder and token reward system to encourage responsible disposal of plastic waste. Their research explored the dangers litter poses to birds and other wildlife.
Another invention, Garment Giver, tackled textile waste and the environmental impact of fast fashion. Students designed a collection system that separated reusable clothing from damaged garments suitable for upcycling into new products. An interactive screen would guide users through the process.
Wildlife protection inspired Waddle Way, a proposed solution to help prevent ducks and ducklings from being struck by vehicles.
Other students investigated challenges including harmful algal blooms, snake bites in dogs, foxes threatening backyard chickens and the impact of bushfires on koalas.
These examples demonstrate how students can draw inspiration from their own interests and concerns, applying creative thinking to problems that extend well beyond the classroom.
Learning through research, design and problem-solving
While the finished inventions attract plenty of attention, the Evening of Innovation is about much more than designing a product.
The project brings together learning from Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Design and Technologies, Mathematics and English.
Students develop research and inquiry skills as they identify problems, gather information, consider available resources and evaluate possible solutions.
Through Design and Technologies, they create annotated diagrams, plan the steps involved in developing their inventions, construct prototypes and reflect on opportunities for improvement.
The project also introduces important Economics and Business concepts. Students explore the difference between needs and wants, how resources are used to produce goods and services, and how factors such as price, advertising and scarcity influence consumer decisions.
Importantly, students discover that innovation rarely follows a straight path. An initial design may need refining, materials may present unexpected challenges, or a promising idea may need to be reconsidered.
Learning to respond to these challenges encourages perseverance, flexibility and confidence in problem-solving.
Learning to pitch an idea
Developing an invention is only part of the challenge. Students must also consider how to communicate its purpose and persuade others of its value.
They explore marketing techniques, from designing product names and logos to creating advertisements, infographics and promotional presentations.
This provides opportunities to apply their English learning in a practical context, using persuasive language, carefully selected vocabulary and effective presentation techniques to communicate their ideas.
By the time students present their inventions, they have considered not only how their products might work, but also who might use them and why.
Preparing for the next stage of learning
The Evening of Innovation is a significant project for Helena College students as they approach the end of their Junior School years.
It encourages them to take greater responsibility for their learning, work collaboratively, manage a long-term project and communicate their thinking with confidence.
These are valuable skills as students prepare to move into Year 6 at the College's Glen Forrest Campus.
For our 2026 Year 5 students, the journey has only just begun. Over the coming weeks, they will continue developing their ideas, refining their designs and preparing to share their inventions at December's Evening of Innovation.
And somewhere in our Year 5 classrooms, the next inventive idea is already beginning to take shape.
Discover learning at Helena College
At Helena College, students are encouraged to think creatively, explore their interests and apply their learning to the world around them.
Discover our approach to learning from Kindergarten to Year 12 and see our campuses for yourself.