Joel O'Shea, Joseph Grigg and Ashleigh Brewer were among about 50 year 13 pupils from Otago secondary schools exposed to research being undertaken in the University of Otago Information Science Department, during the Otago Technology Innovation Challenge.
They were presented with a new technology called Pure Data (PD), a real-time multimedia processing system.
Using a graphical editor, users can plug objects together to perform a variety of data processing tasks, from adding numbers, to a multi-screen performance controlled with hand gestures.
The programme was initially designed to be used to create live sound and video imaging.
But with the help of Information Science Department teaching fellow Chris Edwards, they found it could also be used to control the temperature, water pressure, water use and electricity use of a shower.
Joel said while their application of the technology could be used to create the perfect shower, there were more important applications.
"It can save water, electricity and time. It would make showering environmentally friendly and sustainable."
Other technologies presented for the pupils to develop were Twitter and Mashups, SunSPOTs, and Multi-user Virtual Environments.
Pupils gave a three-minute presentation of their innovative technology application to a panel of judges.
The Logan Park pupils won the interactive systems technology category.
Other winners were: Otago Boys High School pupils Julian Prendergast, Michael Moginie and Andrew Sise (multi-user virtual environments technology); Columba College pupils Sophie Hutchison, Harriet McDonald and Elizabeth Fraser (SunSPOTs technology); and John McGlashan College pupils Joshua Brundell, Graeme Letica and Ben Visser (Twitter and Mashups technology).
