Innovative Idea on Environmental Issue Emerged Winner of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition
Samsung Malaysia Electronics announced the winners of the
Solve for Tomorrow 2020 competition which kicked off on 9th October
for Form 1 and Form 2 students, with team A.I.R. from SMK Seksyen 10 Kota
Damansara walking away with the first prize for their innovative and proactive
approach in addressing Malaysia’s key challenges on environmental issue. While
the 2nd and 3rd place winners were team EUNOIA from SMK
(P) Sri Aman, and team STEM SRI U from SMK Sri Utama respectively.
After
weeks of dedication and hard work, the three finalist pitched their ideas
through a virtual presentation to a panel of esteemed judges held on 16
December 2020. Their ability to create innovative solutions across both
environment and social themes depicted their ability to embrace Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) methods and to be imaginative and bold
in developing solutions to everyday problems faced by the Malaysian community.
Dato’ Roh
Jae Yeol, Director of Corporate Affairs, Samsung Malaysia Electronics said, “We
are impressed with the out-of-box innovative thinking demonstrated by the
participants. These remarkable young students have developed tangible solutions to problems
faced by our communities. Through the Samsung
Solve for Tomorrow competition, it is our aim to provide today’s youth with an
avenue to imagine and pursue a career in STEM.”
Team A.I.R. presented their solution based on an
environmental theme and received Samsung products valued up to RM16,900 that
will be presented to the school while each student will receive up to RM7,000
worth of Samsung products.
The 2nd prize went to team EUNOIA who shared
an idea on environment. They received products worth up to RM13,500 for their
school while each student walked away with products worth up to RM6,000. The 3rd prize was awarded to team STEM
SRI U who developed an idea based on a social theme. The team received products
valued up to RM10,000 for their school while the students received products
worth up to RM5,400 each.
The teams were
assessed by a panel of judges based on feasibility of the idea; creativity and
uniqueness of the solution; the application of STEM knowledge; effectiveness of
their presentations based on the theme selected.
The panel
of judges included Dato’ Roh Jae Yeol, Director of Corporate Affairs, Samsung
Malaysia Electronics; Ir. Dr. Mas Sahidayana Mohktar, Head of Universiti Malaya
STEM Centre; Professor Dr. Rofina Yasmin Binti Othman, Associate
Vice Chancellor (Industry & Community Networks), Universiti Malaya; and
Professor Dato' Dr. Mohamed Shariff Mohamed Din FASc, Special Interest Group
Biodiversity Akademi Sains Malaysia.
Winning Ideas of The Samsung Solve For Tomorrow 2020
Competition
Team
A.I.R - SMK Seksyen 10 Kota Damansara
The first prize winner, Team A.I.R. developed a solution to
detect water pollution and avoid water disruption, as disruption of water
supply is very rampant especially in the Klang Valley. Water quality is
monitored manually by the water operator, hence resulting in late detection of
any pollution. It further leads to a shutdown of the water treatment plant.
This can be avoided if the water operator receives an early warning signal when
the river is polluted above the allowed limit, enabling them to shut the pump
and save the treatment plant. Currently, a sensor that detects water quality is
submerged in the river that may result in the damage of sensor over time and an
increase in maintenance. To overcome this and to monitor the quality of water
in real-time, students of team A.I.R. developed a solution using STEM.
Through
STEM-based solution, the sensor is able to monitor and transfer data on water
quality by using Internet of Things (IOT) application and monitor it in
real-time. This innovation will enable
the water operator to better manage water supply and minimise water disruption
issues. The team comprising, Hafiy Addin bin Hizamel, Nur Auni Faqihah binti
Fakhrurrazi, and Ayuni Illya binti Azmy were guided by teacher Puan. Noraini
binti Mohd Zain.
Team EUNOIA - SMK (P) Sri Aman
Team EUNOIA developed an idea to improve the overall indoor
air quality. Today, air pollution is a great concern. When we think of
pollution, we always think about the air outside, for example industrial
smokestack, smoggy haze or cars in gridlock traffic. [1]According
to the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the air quality in our
homes can be worse than the air quality outside. The level of indoor air pollutants are often
2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels[2].
Hence, there is a need to manage the indoor air quality as it can affect the
health and wellbeing of occupants.
The team
comprising, Ng Xin Ning, Reanya Velaithan and Nayli Syazwina binti Ezaham under
the guidance of teacher Puan. Bahiyah developed BreatheWall, a smart living
green wall. BreatheWall
is space-efficient that increases the density of indoor plants, and reduces
significant forms of indoor air pollutants. It is equipped with a Light Dependent Resistor
(LDR) for automated lighting system, moisture sensor and automated watering
system. BreatheWall combines multiple elements of STEM while integrating the
Internet of Things (IoT) for mobile application for interaction and monitoring
purposes. BreatheWall is designed to reduce harmful pollutants, purify and
humidify; and reduce surrounding heat while reducing noise level in crowded
places.
Team STEM Sri U - SMK Sri Utama
The third prize winner, Team STEM SRI U developed an idea as an alternative to manage
the number of COVID-19 cases and for contact tracing. The current COVID-19
pandemic has called for stringent measures to contain the number of cases and
for contact tracing. One such initiative is the need to register by scanning a
QR code or register manually before entering a premise. Some are not
comfortable to register manually for fear of using a pen that is contaminated,
this could also pose a problem for those who forget their phones. Realising
this, participants developed a facial recognition and thermal scanner app for
business owners that can be used as an alternative to the existing QR code and
thermal scanner.
The facial
recognition and thermal scanner was designed to enable consumers/visitors to scan
their face and complete the necessary information the first time around via the
display at premises. The information will be captured in the data. The thermal
scanner captures the person’s temperature through the person’s face. That way
both the information and temperature are recorded. On their following trip, the
person will only need to scan their face. This will help avoid any physical
contact and manage the number of cases. The team comprising, Naomi Tan, Kong
She Xuan and Ong Zhi Qing under the guidance of Puan Suryani Mohayiddin, used STEM
solution to design the app that could help contain the spread of COVID-19.
With the
support of Universiti Malaya STEM Centre, the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2020 competition
aimed at stimulating curiosity and inspiring students to use STEM methods to
address Malaysia’s key challenges – through a unique platform that fosters
innovative thinking, creative problem solving and teamwork. Participants were
given the choice to propose their ideas focusing on any one of the four themes,
namely health, education, environmental and social issues.
“Youth
today are dealing with constant evolving technology that is changing the world.
I believe that Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition aids in strengthening
students’ STEM knowledge as well as encouraging the young to think creatively,
seek out problems and approach them with new ideas to build a better future for
all. The ideas and solutions we received were practical and impactful in
solving the challenges we face today. And I hope this competition will continue
to nurture our nation’s future STEM innovators and leaders,” added Ir. Dr. Mas Sahidayana Mohktar, Head of Universiti
Malaya STEM Centre.
For more information about Solve for Tomorrow,
please visit: www.samsung.com/my/solvefortomorrow/ / http://csr.samsung.com/en/main.do
Check out the journey video of the Malaysia Samsung
Solve for Tomorrow 2020 here: https://news.samsung.com/my/innovative-idea-on-environmental-issue-emerged-winner-of-the-samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-competition / Journey
Video
