MAYFIELD student Bella Lewis has come up with a way to get more people on Newcastle's trams, trains and buses.
The Ride4Rewards initiative was inspired by a combination of the "Dine and Discover vouchers and COVID check-ins" Bella said.
"I've developed an app that allows you to scan a QR code when you get on public transport which gives you points that can be redeemed as vouchers for local businesses," Bella said.
"It's about promoting public transport use because it's a lot better for the environment, traffic congestion and even accidents."
Bella's project was developed as part of the Catholic Schools' Virtual Academy program. According to Education Officer for the Catholic School's Office, Sally Brock, the Virtual Academy is open for students who have been identified as "highly to profoundly gifted" in years five to eight.
"We provide an online class for three hours per week where gifted students further their education across the curriculum at a much higher level, " Ms Brock said.
"The learning is done around a central concept and from that concept the student work on skills development, developing an understanding around the chosen concept and then a research project."
Research projects were presented to expert panels made up of representatives from the Diocese, industry and community at the Virtual Academy presentation last week. Ms Brock said there was "extraordinary talent" on show.
"Everything is linked to real world issues and there were a lot of projects about sustainability and issues like homelessness."
Bella, who is in year eight this year, said the feedback she received from the expert panel was "really positive".
"I also got some challenging questions about how this could work if it actually happened," she said.
Keen to take the concept further, Bella said the future of her project depends on receiving support from the community.
"I'd need help from someone who is more advanced at coding and also I would need support from Newcastle council."
