Every Ingenious+ Innovation Challenge winner has a unique story. But there is a common thread in nearly all of them. Their ingenious ideas were sparked by real-world problems, personal experiences, or meaningful encounters.
Tennis Star Turns to Tech
This is most definitely the case for Kendra Nayanka Osa. Kendra was a national winner in Rideau Hall Foundation’s 2024 Ingenious+ innovation challenge in the Health and Well-being category. The St. Catharines native took home $10,000 for her project–an individualized air quality monitor that protects users during wildfires and extreme pollution. Her idea was sparked by an experience at a tennis tournament before her final year of high school.
“I started thinking about this when I was at a tournament in the summer of 2023 when the wildfires across Canada were at their peak. There was no air quality monitor in the area, the sky looked normal, and weather notifications didn’t show that the air quality was a risk where we were,” she recalls. “My breathing was fine, even while I was playing, but my coach and my mom were having trouble breathing.”
Kendra researched the topic and discovered an opportunity to combine engineering and AI to create a personalized solution. She worked with the Brock University Electronics Shop during her grade 12 co-op placement to develop a prototype and submitted the project to Ingenious+ the following semester.
The Benefits of Being an Ingenious+ Winner
Since winning, Kendra has been refining her prototype and meeting mentors with health science and startup expertise. She decided to pursue an engineering degree at McMaster University and is also part of Mac’s Residency @ The Clinic program–a health innovation accelerator that helps students scale their ventures. This summer, she hopes to produce a second more portable prototype and advance her personalization software. She is also exploring options for patenting the device.
She credits Ingenious+ with giving her the confidence and connections to take her project to the next level. And now she’s encouraging other youth to follow suit and turn their ideas into action by applying to the 2025 Ingenious+ challenge.
East Coast Teen Tackles Accessible Toys
Though her project is very different, 17-year old Natalie Mitchell of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador was also driven to create when she discovered a hurdle affecting people in her circle. Through family and volunteer connections, she learned how challenging it is for kids with physical disabilities to use standard controls on some toys. After attending a workshop hosted by Makers Making Change, she was inspired to make toys more accessible using 3D printing and simple electronic skills.
Her project, Tech for Community, was born. Natalie started a school club with peers eager to make toys more accessible for everyone. The group shares ideas and knowledge and modifies toys to meet the needs of kids with various physical disabilities. Their mindset is that all kids are unique and they all deserve toys they can play with. That inclusive mindset also inspired her to apply to the Ingenious+ challenge.
Everybody’s Innovation is Unique
“I think the most important thing to recognize is that we all have unique stories,” Natalie says. “I think Ingenious+ should be for everybody and we shouldn’t let our self-doubt get in the way of applying.”
Natalie submitted a last minute application in 2024 after the deadline was extended. Her decision paid off–she was chosen as a national winner in the Equity and Inclusion category. Since then, she has continued to advance her innovation teaching workshops to students so they can learn to adapt toys. She has customized toys for many kids and is working on a website to connect with families.
Meeting other inspiring young people has been one of her favourite parts of Ingenious+, which is why she encourages others to apply with their projects. “I’ve been able to connect with youth from across Canada and learn more perspectives to evolve my project.”
Inspiring Others to Join the Ingenious+ Challenge
Since winning the Ingenious+ challenge, both Kendra and Natalie have expanded their innovation horizons and connected with peers and experts in Canada and beyond. Now, they’re passing the torch, encouraging the next wave of young people to get involved in Ingenious+.
“Just one year ago, I was doubting whether I should even submit my project to Ingenious+,” says Kendra. “And now, here I am. You never know if you don’t try.”
