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Comet Bay College student awarded for ‘Desk in a Box’ design

Tyra PetersSound Telegraph
(Left to Right) Comet Bay College Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Michelle Statham is encouraging Year 8 student Matthew Roberts to patent his award-winning ‘Desk in a Box’ design.
Camera Icon(Left to Right) Comet Bay College Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Michelle Statham is encouraging Year 8 student Matthew Roberts to patent his award-winning ‘Desk in a Box’ design. Credit: Supplied

Talented Comet Bay College youngster Matthew Roberts has been awarded for his latest project, Desk in a Box, at this year’s Western Australia Just Start It grand final gala.

The Year 8 student took out second place for his clever design, inspired by a growing need for compact work stations, which will now be pitched to hundreds of investors at the 2022 West Tech Fest in December.

The desk stood out among a field of 200 entrants from across the State in the six-month STEM-inspired competition.

Matthew said his multi-purpose design was unique and he was looking to get it patented.

“When I realised I came second out of 200, I thought, ‘this is a big deal’,” he said.

“If this desk was available on the market today, I would buy it. It was inspired by my own needs.”

Matthew’s prize also includes entrepreneurship workshops to take his venture to the next level.

“It is ready to go, I just need to make the prototype,” he said.

Comet Bay was also proud of finalists Susie Moon, Naomi Symonds and Sienna Mosqueda, who made it through to the Top 10 for their eating disorder support app, The Lighthouse.

Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Michelle Statham said she was incredibly proud of the innovation and creativity of her students and their dedication to their projects.

“They have all spent thousands of hours working on their business concepts, displaying exceptional entrepreneurship skills and outstanding work ethic,” Ms Statham said.

“Our finalists were the youngest entrants in the contest, but sometimes the best ideas come from the youngest minds.

“These students have created wonderful and viable business models that I am sure they can develop into a successful venture with the right support.”

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