Students take innovation to the world stage at Osaka World Expo

Students and staff from Adelaide Botanic High School have stepped onto the global stage, representing South Australia at Expo 2025 Osaka, an international event bringing together more than 150 countries to explore solutions for the future.

Selected as part of a Department for Education delegation, ABHS students travelled to Japan with a clear purpose to showcase how cutting edge technology is transforming learning in South Australia.

At the heart of their contribution was EdChat, a pioneering artificial intelligence platform developed through a partnership between the South Australian Department for Education and Microsoft. Through interactive demonstrations, students showed how the platform supports safe, personalised and innovative learning experiences, placing them at the forefront of global conversations about the future of education.

A standout feature of the showcase was the work of the selected ABHS students themselves. With the guidance of staff mentors Sarah Chambers, James Almond and Hannah Darling, students took full ownership of their storytelling, writing, developing and filming their own video content to share at the Expo. Their work captured authentic student voice and highlighted how technology is used in real classrooms, adding a powerful and personal dimension to the international presentation.

Beyond the Expo site, the experience extended into the wider Japanese education community. ABHS students toured local schools, sharing their work and connecting with students and educators in Japan. These exchanges created opportunities for cultural learning, collaboration and the sharing of ideas.

The showcase featured during the Expo’s Learning and Playing Week, where international audiences experienced firsthand how artificial intelligence is being integrated into classrooms. More than just a technology demonstration, the presentation highlighted the creativity, confidence and leadership of the students delivering it.

The Expo itself, held in Osaka from April to October 2025, centred on the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives. Australia’s presence focused on innovation, sustainability and global collaboration, providing the perfect platform for ABHS students to share their ideas with a worldwide audience.

For the students involved, the experience extended far beyond the exhibition floor. Engaging with international visitors, educators and industry leaders, they acted as ambassadors for both their school and the state, promoting South Australia as a forward thinking destination for education and innovation.

Back home, the impact of the trip continues to resonate. The opportunity not only showcased the capabilities of ABHS students but also reinforced the school’s commitment to real world learning, global connections and future focused education.

As the world looked toward the future in Osaka, Adelaide Botanic High School proved that its students are already helping to shape it.