I love your idea.

It would be great for relief workers in areas where there are earthquakes or other natural disasters.

Hi Lucy,

What a wonderful idea and I love your innovative use of solar panels and recycled fire blankets! Reuse and renewable energy are core principles of the circular economy which looks to nature for inspiration. Could you go further and look to mimic nature in your design? Which animals have similar features? Check out these videos on the concept of biomimicry: https://youtu.be/M_5Xxy2T3kA and https://youtu.be/VlWE01cHtbY

See this article by Black Lab https://blacklab.design/how-to-sustainable-design/ and let me know if you have any questions about designing out waste and pollution, keeping resources in use for as long as possible and at their highest value, and regenerating natural systems. These are the three principles of the circular economy.

What will happen to your kits at the end of their useful lives? Could the kits be shared and 'on loan' so they're returned when they're not being used and not needed anymore? Could you extend your design with ideas to make the kits available via a sharing platform e.g. a library?

Ideas based on 'sharing platforms', 'product life extension', 'product-as-a-service', 'cradle to cradle design', 'design for disassembly' and 'extended producer responsibility' would demonstrate true circular thinking and circular design in your project. Highly innovative :-)

Let me know if I can help you create an 'even more circular' design and I'd also love to help you find the connections you need within the industry for your project.

Warm regards,

Chelsea McLean

Circular Economy Pioneers

Hi Susan, thank you for your comment and advice!

My MDP suits the target market of kids aged between 4-12 years of age, this is due to the backpack size being ergonomically fit for these ages, as well as the fact that it is being designed as a monkey - a ‘friend’ they are able to bond with, perhaps when no one else is there, or when their parents are stressed due to the given situation, in order to reduce the psychological effects of displacement of children. In relation to fidget elements, I love the idea you suggested of putting something possibly in the foot and will definitely be considering this for my project in order to keep children calm in an over-stimulating environment, for this is have done research into push / pop toys that they are able to utilise. The materials I have chosen to use include recycled fire blankets that are naturally waterproof and insulated. These were sourced from a local fire company that would otherwise throw them out and they would go to waste. However, through this project I have been able extend their usage and lifecycle. Although the product can be used for a number of years (depending on the user), I have decided to also develop and app that is able to pinpoint locations that people can return it in order for another child to be able to use once it has been cleaned, these locations could include places such as community centres or libraries.

In terms of seed funding, would you know how to get in contact with someone who is able to offer this?

Thank you, Lucy

Hi Chelsea, thank you for you comment and advice!

In relation to waste and pollution, I am using recycled fire blankets that have gone out of date, this is because they would normally go to waste and not be used again, whereas this creates a new way of using them, hence extending their original lifecycle. My MDP can be used multiple times by the same person, however, if they get older and start to grow out of the designated target market (as it is ergonomically fit for a child), I have thought about setting up a system to where they are able to return the backpack and materials in order for another child to use once it has been cleaned. I will also be developing an app, which I could put pins to locations where they are able to be returned to (e.g., libraries like you suggested). However, once a fire blanket has ripped and I am unable to give it to another person, I am unsure of how to successfully recycle the product to ensure it aligns with the circular economy principles.

I was just wondering if you were able to help me create a more circular design or suggest anyone that is able to offer assistance surrounding this type of product?

Thank you, Lucy

Hi Lucy,

It's terrific to see how much thought you're giving to the circular economy principles and to see you becoming a circular thinker!

Let me help you investigate what could be done with a fire blanket when it reaches the end of its useful life.  My local Salvos store gives old towels to local vets who need them. I wonder if they could also use old blankets. Or if animal shelters could use them perhaps.

Does a fire blanket have special properties and what is it made from? Thinking of ideas for how we could keep these in use at their highest value!

Warm regards,

Chelsea - Circular Economy Pioneers

Hi Chelsea,

While completing research for my experimentation and testing, as well as justification of materials, I have come to find that fire blankets are made out of two layers of woven glass fibre fabric (which has a silica base, as well as a number of other oxides including calcium, boron, sodium, aluminium, and iron) and an inner layer that is made of fire-retardant film. Although there are a range of manufactured chemicals contributing to the end product of creating fire blankets, they pose no threat to the individual. As you said, this means after their useful life they could be donated to a range of places, including vets.

Thank you, Lucy.

Good morning UpRising. Congratulations on the development of your project. As one of this year's UpRising students, you have been invited to

UpRising @ Stone&Chalk - Program X - Tickets are open now.

Click here to get your ticket. https://events.humanitix.com/uprising-stone-and-chalk

Our big event for this year, UpRising@Stone&Chalk, July 14th Friday 10am to 2pm, and you get first dibs. This will be in the second week of the school holidays. It doesn't mess up your school time and makes it as easy as possible for you to get there. In a cool building, in an amazing place, in the heart of innovation in NSW.

There is a limit of 50 attendees, with the first invitations going to you, the UpRising students of 2023. If there are any spaces left by the end of this week, we will create a second round of invitations that you can pass onto a classmate from your design class. Please complete this survey if you haven't already to help us know exactly what you want to get from this opportunity. Teachers are most welcome to the event as well.

Congratulations Lucy on your fantastic efforts with your MDP, it has been great to be part of your design journey this year.

Good luck with the submission of your project and adding any finishing touches this week, I am sure you will do great. We would love to see an image of your final design if yuo get a chance. Either way we hope that you have learned a lot from being part of this year's UpRising and are excited to take your creativity and design thinking into the next steps in life, (which is exactly what business and industry are looking for.) Teachers, thank you for helping your students make the leap across the gap, from classroom to industry.

Business leaders, likewise it has been fantastic to connect with you, thank you for all of the support you have given to these young designers and helping to grow the innovation ecosystem in NSW. Breaking down the silos, together.