Shell NXplorers’ The Bright Ideas Challenge: STEM student teams solve global challenges
Top five student groups will showcase their brilliance in addressing industry challenges through innovative approaches in the Shell NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge happening this December. The finalists bested from the 301 students on 14 high school institutions all over the country – for a chance to pitch their innovative solutions in the finals round.
Projects were selected from the Shell NXplorers Online Workshop, from April to August, that addressed pervasive challenges in industries such as wastewater treatment, energy consumption, and agri-business management among others.
Shell Nxplorers’ program developed bright, creative ideas among the Filipino youth and birth them into useful products and services, specifically in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“Despite the current challenges in face-to-face interactions, classes, and learning, Pilipinas Shell remains committed to training the STEM students of today to become the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. STEM is critical to improving the infrastructure and services of our society, and we need many talented, highly-skilled young professionals to excel in these areas,” says Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Corporate Relations Serge Bernal.
The leading five teams for this year are Team ACES from Ateneo De Naga University, Shellamat from the Philippine Science High School Main Campus (PISAY – Main), Agriserve and El Terratix both from the Philippine Science High School – Cagayan Valley Campus (PISAY-CVC), and Danum from the Bansud Regional Science High School.
5 teams, 5 innovations
Ateneo De Naga University’s Team ACES designed the “Aureus – Integrated Parasolar Generator”, a device that functions as both an umbrella and a solar-powered electric generator.
The parasol’s modified AuREUS-plastic-made canopy refracts the UV Light it comes across with and turns it into visible light.
Shellamat from the PISAY -Main developed Project Simoy, a self-powered utility model that collects, extracts, and converts carbon dioxide from the air.
PISAY-CVC fielded two teams that made it to the finals.
Smart AgriHub developed a website and data server that can help the farmers of Cauayan City, Isabela to improve their practices and other agricultural services.
El Terratix on the other hand conceptualized PagSOILbok, a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly soil-testing machine measuring soil composition elements such as pH level, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Humidity.
Also, Danum from the Bansud Regional Science High School will be developing the Danum (Data-driven Agrobot Nexus Utility Model), made to revolutionize conventional wastewater treatment and traditional crop watering.
The student groups from the 14 participating schools dedicated three hours a day and five working days to the Shell NXplorers Online Workshops.
They conceptualized and developed their projects sans prototype while Shell experts and Shell volunteers provided mentorship with consultancy and guidance, respectively.
The Shell NXplorers program is divided into three phases that combine the principles of systems thinking, scenario planning, and the theory of change methodologies.
Moreover, during the first phase last August, trained facilitators worked with teams of five to six student participants and their teachers who applied their learnings to create new tools, platforms, and creative solutions to community challenges associated with food, water, and energy.
Final showcase
The top five finalists are in the preparation stages, refining their presentations with coaching from Shell volunteer mentors.
The public voting for the entries takes place from November 15 to 30 held on the Shell official website and Facebook page. Awarding ceremony will take place on December 3.
Lastly, to vote for the entries, please follow this link.
