Michael Nixon
Michael Nixon | |
|---|---|
 Nixon wins the 2017 Regional Pitchfest | |
| Born | c. 2003 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Kooringal High School[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2017 – present |
Michael Nixon is a high school student, young entrepreneur, and an advocate for STEM education.[2] He is the founder and proprietor of EduKits International, an edutech business which aims to make learning about technology fun for kids and teenagers.[3]
In 2017, Nixon launched 'The Amazing Annoyatron', an educational kit that introduces kids to coding and simple electrical engineering.[2] Along with strong sales across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States, a business pitch for the product saw him win the national finals of the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest.[4] In early 2018, the product was announced as one of the top ten products at the Australian Toy Fair.[5]
Regional Pitchfest
[edit]In 2016 Nixon entered Regional Pitchfest, an open-age entrepreneurial pitch event, with his edutech business idea, 'EduKits'.[6] EduKits was pitched as a marketplace for 3D printers, electronics kits and online tutorials[7] to help engage young people with new technologies.[8][6] He won first place and an A$5,000 cash prize, as well as the community choice award with its prize of $2,500.[9] Nixon entered the Regional Pitchfest competition again in 2017 with his new business idea, 'The Amazing Annoyatron'. The new educational kit was a fun and affordable solution to introduce kids and teens to electronics and coding.[3] His polished business pitch saw him take out the first place and community choice awards at the NSW state finals in June 2017. He progressed to the National finals in Wagga Wagga, where he was awarded the top prize by a panel of expert judges, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack.[4]
Promotion of STEM education
[edit]A strong advocate for the developing STEM Education movement, Nixon has been featured heavily in the media for his stance on the area. He has appeared on the TODAY Show,[10] Talking Technology[11] and the Alan Jones Breakfast Show.[12] Nixon also inspired NSW high school students to pursue a career in coding at Wagga's Big Day In careers event in early 2018.[13][14] He has also been seen as a speaker on numerous other occasions, including a STEM conference for primary school teachers and at a Rotary dinner.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ Manning, Shane (1 July 2016). "Michael's 3D vision rewarded in Regional Pitchfest | Photos". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ a b DAVIES, JESSIE (30 June 2016). "Wagga student gets big break". The Land. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Michael Nixon - The Amazing Annoyatron - NSW". Regional Pitchfest. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ a b Zuchetti, Adam (21 August 2017). "14-year-old schoolboy scoops national business pitchfest". Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ "Editor's 2018 Toy Fair Top 10 - Toy & Hobby Retailer". Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Michael Nixon". Regional Pitchfest. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ "13 year old Michael Nixon takes out top prize at the first Regional Pitchfest in Wagga Wagga". Silicon Paddock. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ "13 year old Michael Nixon wants to engage kids in STEM with 3D printing startup EduKits". Silicon Paddock. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ Manning, Shane (1 July 2016). "Michael's 3D vision rewarded in Regional Pitchfest | Photos". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ https://www.9now.com.au/today/2018/clip-cjermrvlr000g0howq65sbgux [dead link]
- ^ "Kids Kit For Coding - Talking Technology - Omny.fm". omny.fm. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018.
- ^ "Michael Nixon - 14yo computer coder - the Alan Jones Breakfast Show - Omny.fm".
- ^ "Big Day In gets underway". Information Age. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "The Big Day in | Wagga Wagga".
- ^ "Talking at the Shed of the Year | EduKits". EduKits. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.