Powered by Future Anything and City of Moreton Bay the 2026 Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards Big Ideas Challenge is a fast-paced and hands-on day of listening, learning, and doing, culminating in teams of students pitching their own innovative solutions to address a key community challenge in a 'Shark Tank'-style experience.

It's set to be an engaging and real-world learning experience for young people in Years 9 -12. Students will hear from some of Australia’s most inspiring changemakers, and explicitly develop their enterprising thinking and human-centered design skills.

TICKETS & WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The event is designed for school groups of students in Years 9 -12 (Students may not attend individually)
Up to 30 free student tickets are available per school. If you require more than this, please indicate this when registering and we will let you know if additional tickets become available. Educators/supervisors go free.

KEY TIMINGS:

8.30am - 9am - Schools/students arrive & register
9am (PROMPT) - EVENT STARTS
9am - 10:30am: Session 1
10:30 - 11am: Break (participants should bring their own morning tea)
11am - 12:30pm: Session 2
12:30–1:00pm Break (participants should bring their own lunch)
1:00 - 2:30pm: Session 3
2.30pm: EVENT ENDS
Break times are subject to change. A detailed agenda will be shared with all registered schools closer to the time.

VENUE & TRANSPORT:

The event takes place at Morayfield Sport and Events Centre, 298 Morayfield Rd, Morayfield QLD 4506. Participating schools are required to organise and manage their own transport requirements for students and supervising staff/parents attending the event.

PERMISSIONS & SUPERVISION:

Each participating school should manage risk assessment & parent permissions according their own policies, and ensure a suitable level of staff supervision for their students attending the event. While participating teachers/parents will not be required to formally facilitate the sessions, their engagement in the activities will increase teachers’ skills and confidence in unlocking students’ enterprising mindsets in their classrooms. IMPORTANT: All students are required to have a caregiver complete Future Anything's Media Permission Form here.

WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO BRING:

Their own refillable water bottle
Lunch, and morning/afternoon tea (if required) as no catering is provided.
Students are required to wear their school uniform
Completed Media Permission Form here (fillable PDF).
A dash of enthusiasm, an open mind and a willingness to engage with others.