Harrison Luu, Austen An and Luca Pica created 'BrightBin', an invention which automatically illuminates recycling bins at night.
Twenty-eight students from Knox Prep from Years 2 to 6 participated in the NSW Young Scientist Awards, with the boys entering projects in the 'Working Technologically' category.
The boys have been working hard on refining and improving their projects based on feedback they received from judges at the Young ICT Explorers competition in August.
The level of ingenuity and creativity shown by the boys was outstanding. Winners have been announced, with four Knpx Prep teams achieving equal first place in their respective age categories, the School's best results ever.
Equal first
Luca Pica, Harrison Luu and Austen An
BrightBin
BrightBin uses a micro:bit with ultrasonic and light sensors to automatically illuminate recycling bins at night. The device tells people what should go in each bin and when it is approaching full capacity.
Oscar Fairhurst, Bowen Gozdzialski and Christian Strumendo
R.C.B.O.C. (River Cleaner, Bowen, Oscar, Christian)
The R.C.B.O.C uses a Sphero, Lego EV3 robot and custom-built conveyor belt to collect floating rubbish from polluted waterways. The device can be controlled by an iPad which allows the user to steer the R.C.B.O.C in the direction of rubbish.
Equal first
Oliver Schlosser and Jackson Macdonald
WaterBot
A device that works by using a soil moisture sensor attached to a robot which is programmed using a micro:bit. This invention will help farmers who are in desperate need of water by finding areas of moist soil on a farm.
Mitchell Whiley and Kingston Rahme
RobotHead
A handheld device that works by using a gesture sensor to detect a vision impaired person’s hand movements. The device can provide audio feedback of certain measurements like the time, date and distance from object.
Highly Commended
Brendan Li
HandyAndy
A device that can pick up and grip objects to assist people with arthritis or other hand injuries. Handy Andy uses a Lego EV3 robot and a remote control to open and close a custom-built claw.
12 August 2026
Staff and visiting guests gathered at Knox on 12 August for a Twilight Networking Event. Bringing leaders together for an evening of connection and conversation, attendees later heard from internationally bestselling author, former state champion boxer and business owner Luke Kennedy.
10 August 2026
Last Saturday’s final rounds in 2026 Winter Sport season marked the conclusion of another outstanding chapter in Knox Sport.
07 August 2026
“Visual Arts deepens our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the world around us,” says Wendy Shearer (Visual Arts Teacher and Head of Department, Senior School). “Through creative practice, students explore ideas, communicate experiences, and develop personal ways of seeing and interpreting the world. Art becomes both a form of expression and a means of connecting across time, place, and culture.
