Teenagers win award for aluminium recycling technology
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 08:31 · Archive
Two Year 10 students from Comet Bay College have won the 2026 Young Innovators Award for developing patent-pending technology to sustainably recover valuable aluminium from discarded electronics. Logan Tolic and Natalie Coutinho, from Rockingham, are co-founders of Agni Renewables and were joint winners of the award alongside a student from Hale School.
The teenagers developed their idea after attending GOSHackathon, a regional youth event that challenges young people to solve real-world problems. Natalie said they felt 'overwhelmed and surprised' to win. She noted that Logan's passion is chemical engineering and spends considerable time researching chemistry, whilst she works to verify his findings.
GOSHackathon organiser Michelle Wong said the success demonstrated the value of mentoring support for students from regional areas, many of whom are neurodivergent. She aims to provide a 'safe space' where young people can demonstrate their abilities in non-traditional environments and develop aspirations to use innovation to create future pathways. Comet Bay College principal Kelly Bennett praised Logan and Natalie's creativity and hard work.
How it is being reported
- Comet Bay College young guns take out youth prize in WA Innovators of the Year AwardsTwo inventive teenagers from Rockingham have come up with patent-pending technology to recycle aluminium — earning themselves a State award for innovation.Perth Now · 14 Nov, 08:01
- Comet Bay College young guns take out youth prize in WA Innovators of the Year AwardsTwo inventive teenagers from Rockingham have come up with patent-pending technology to recycle aluminium — earning themselves a State award for innovation.The West Australian · 14 Nov, 08:01
In this story: Logan Tolic · Natalie Coutinho · Comet Bay College · Agni Renewables · Rockingham · GOSHackathon · Michelle Wong · Kelly Bennett
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log
Comments (0)