The Experimental High School of the University of Macedonia is the big winner of this year’s Greek edition of the organization’s student virtual business competition “Junior Achievement Greece”who will represent Greece in the pan-European event in July in Istanbul.

The 17 students of this school created the virtual business “Isometrics” and through it they designed and implement the thinking and creation game “Wizzle”, which uses mathematical rules and aims to cultivate creativity, ignite the imagination and exercise the mind.

Speaking to APE-MPE after their award, his students Experimental High School, Korina Malasidis and Fai Katsanou, attributed their qualification to “it’s something very innovative that appeals to all people regardless of age.” “Symmetries are everywhere, with symmetries we can understand the world and they differentiate us from all other organisms. So we incorporated symmetries into the game and through this game we can better understand geometry and improve many other skills. “, they explained.

The toy produced with the 3D printing technique is already available at Rehabilitation Center “Renaissance” in Thessaloniki and will also be hosted in the sales offices of the MOMUS museums in Athens and Thessaloniki. Also, through two research programs of the Hellenic Alzheimer Society, the possible benefits of the game for people with mental retardation and Alzheimer’s will be investigated.

The Experimental High School of the University of Macedonia received the first prize in the General Education category in the 18th Panhellenic Student Competition “Best virtual business 2023” and then competed with the other big winner of the competition, the Vocational Schools of Xanthi and Alexandroupolis with their business “REVYDOR “, which produces chickpea juice as an egg substitute for bakery and confectionery preparations and received the first prize in the Vocational Training category. Finally, the jury decided to award the grand prize “Odysseas Kyriakopoulos”, which is the ticket to the pan-European final, to the Experimental High School.

The rest of the awards in the General Education category went to Arsakeio Ioannina with their business “Glovie”, a smart glove that monitors and records the medical problems of people suffering from Parkinson’s (2nd prize) and Pierce American College of Greece with the business “Endless Energy Tree”an artificial tree with wind turbines and solar panels to collect and store energy (3rd prize).

In the Vocational Education category, the second prize went to the 1st EPAL of Didymoteicho with the job-finding platform for graduates of vocational schools “Jobify” and the third prize was shared by the 1st EPAL of Drama with their business “Bikecology”, which reuses old bicycles and turns them into static for energy production, and the Laboratory of Special Vocational Education (EEEEK) Kos with his business “YYYY Birthday Surprises”, which organizes birthday parties.

Also, an audience award for the best student virtual business went, after an online vote, to Psychiko College High School for their idea “De-light Traveler”, a platform that allows travelers to travel without a lot of luggage by renting clothing and equipment at the destination their. The award was presented by the president and general director of APE-MBE, Emilios Perdikaris. APE-MPE was the communication sponsor of the event.

Finally, in the “Company Junior” category for virtual businesses of elementary and high school students, the first prize went to the 5th Standard High School of Chalkida with the business “Autoguard”, the second prize to the 6th Primary School of Pallini with “Panorama’s Sweet Candles and Soaps” and the third prize the Kastellorizo ​​High School with the project “Kastellokyklosi”.

M. Kouzinopoulou

S.S. Attached is a photo from the Experimental High School of the University of Macedonia during the awarding of the “Odysseas Kyriakopoulos” award. The photo was granted by “Junior Achievement Greece” to APE-MPE for use.