The Finals of the Global Youth Science and Technology Bowl 2020 (GYSTB 2020), initiated by the Creative Education Unit of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), was held online on August 1. With 92 shortlisted secondary school teams from Hong Kong and around the world, this was an exciting event, with presentations of innovative science and technology solutions to tackle every day challenges. Seven Hong Kong teams made it to the Finals, of whom two took home the Prize in their respective categories.
A “Study on the Anti-reflux ability of Chinese Yam using Novel Gastro-oesophageal Model” by Hong Kong’s Heep Yunn School took the Gold Prize in the Biology and Chemistry category. The team discovered that Chinese yam could replace existing medicine for anti-acid-reflux using an innovative oesophageal experimental model.
In the Physical and Engineering category, Ruth Madden from Ireland won the Gold Prize for her “Microplastic Filter – A Small Solution to a Global Problem”. Ruth and her team designed and built a standalone filtration unit to intercept microplastic particles emanating from a domestic washing machine prior to their entry into the public wastewater system and the wider environment.
As Kenneth Lee Kin-lok, Supervisor (Innovation and Creativity) of The HKFYG said, “I am so impressed by the amazing inventions as well as creativity of all the students. What pleases me the most is how, in spite of the current situation, everyone has learnt to be flexible and demonstrated how easily learning and knowledge exchanges can take place through online platforms” He continued, “This year’s GYSTB, which had to be undertaken through a different platform has been a success because of the support and openness of teachers and students. Only because of this has have we been able to see the convergence of diverse scientific cultures in this virtual contest, proving that even a pandemic cannot deter students’ enthusiasm and passion!” Lee hoped that students enjoyed the Contest, learning more about the future skills of innovation and problem solving, resilience and adaptability, as well as communication and collaboration. While congratulating the winners, Lee concluded by saying how confident he was in the future, given the remarkable imagination and scientific foresight of all the participants.
The competition attracted a total of 122 teams from 22 countries and regions, with about 70% of the teams having previously won awards in regional or international science competitions. Under the theme of “Social Innovation”, participants were encouraged to apply their knowledge in physics, engineering, biology and chemistry to come up with creative ideas for resolving everyday problems. They presented their projects to a professional judging panel formed by academics and industry representatives, which challenged their scientific knowledge, collaboration and presentation skills.
The GYSTB 2020 is organised by the Creative Education Unit of the HKFYG and supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission. The competition is a showcase of global youth scientific achievement and innovation, which aims to promote science and technology, provide a platform for global youth to develop their creativity and scientific mindsets, and facilitate the exchange of scientific ideas, interests and abilities among young scientists all over the world.
For more details, please visit ce.hkfyg.org.hk/teachers-zone/competition/gystb.
Global Youth Science and Technology Bowl 2020 Results
Biology and Chemistry category
Award | Country/Region | Project Title |
Gold Award | Hong Kong | Study On the Anti-reflux ability of Chinese Yam using Novel Gastro-oesophageal Model |
Silver Award | Philippines | Detection by Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization, and Drug Resistance Profile of Putative Enteropathogenic Salmonella spp. Isolated from Pampanga River, Philippines |
Bronze Award | Singapore | Synthesis of Magnetic Carbonised Banana Peel as a Versatile and Reusable Adsorbent for Water Purification |
First Prize | Ireland | An R&D Study on using a Nutrient Treatment Biofilter to Combat Oceanic and Freshwater Deadzones which Harnesses the Intrinsic Potential of Halophyte Species |
First Prize | Turkey | New Approach to Food Packaging: Antimicrobial and Edible Materials |
First Prize | South Africa | Puffer Jacket: An Alternative for Anxiety Relief |
First Prize | Indonesia | Extraction of Amylase Enzyme from Fruit Waste used as a Catalyst to Enhance Carbohydrate-waste Based Bioethanol Production |
Second Prize | Korea | Development of Artificial Epidermis using Collagen Film and Keratinocyte Cell line for Personalized Allergy Tester |
Second Prize | Philippines | Characterization of (Solanum tuberosum) Potato – Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) Composite Film for Intelligent Packaging Applications |
Second Prize | Hong Kong | Feasibility of Using Microbes to Grow “Textile Material” |
Second Prize | Turkey | Development of Nanoparticle based Colorimetric Method for Lead Detection |
Second Prize | Hong Kong | Super Glue for Tree Defect |
Second Prize | Turkey | Production of Orodispersible Nanofiber Pharmaceuticals for Pediatric and Newborn Patients With Electrospinning Method |
Third Prize | Turkey | A New Design for Increasing Effectiveness and Economy of Drugs by using original Smart Structures |
Third Prize | Turkey | The Preparation of Medical Textile Products with Properties that Tree Barks have by using Micro-encapsulation Method |
Third Prize | Indonesia | Healthy and Biodegradable Sanitary Pad using Super Absorbent Polymer from Orange Peel, Patchouli Twig, and Coconut Husk for Sustainable Green Innovation |
Third Prize | South Africa | Polymer Bioplastic |
Third Prize | Singapore | Biodegradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) using Chlorella Fusca |
Third Prize | Turkmenistan | Ecologically Safe and Feasible Particle Boards |
Third Prize | Turkey | An Investigation on the Effects of Propolis and Curcuma Longa on Cancer, observing their Impacts on Vascular Formation and Chicken Embryos Growth |
Third Prize | Thailand | The Study of Life Cycle, Some Behaviors and Ecological Role of Spotted Tortoise Beetle (Aspidomorpha milliaris) |
Third Prize | Indonesia | Innovation of an Alternative Natural Clothing Bleach from Extract of Lemon (Citrus limon) and Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Peel Wastes |
Third Prize | Korea | A Study on the Bionic Value of Japanese Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus Japonicus) by Biostructure Analysis |
Honourable Mention | Indonesia | Invention of PUFFI-KIT as a Survival Kit to Prevent Sustenance Scarcity and Urgent Health Problems during Hiking or Mountaineering |
Honourable Mention | Slovakia | Development and Production of Orthosis by Additive Technologies |
Honourable Mention | Indonesia | Potential Scrubbing Mangrove Seeds Xylocarpus Moluccensis on Wooden Vessels that lean as a Method of Reducing Population Density Teredo Shipworm |
Honourable Mention | Philippines | Quorum Quenching Activity Assessment on Ganoderma sp. Ethanolic Extract against Escherichia coli ATC25922 through Microtiter Biofilm Formation Assay |
Honourable Mention | Philippines | Alternative Pharmaceutical Liquid Preservative from Tamarindus indica (Tamarind) Pulp Extracts |
Honourable Mention | Indonesia | Effectiveness of the Combination of Water Hyacinth Cellulose Acetate Membrane, Corncob-based Coagulant and Activated Carbon in Decreasing Hardness and Mercury Ion (Hg2+) of Mandor River Water Compared to Alum |
Honourable Mention | Turkey | Three Dimensional (3D) Printed Microfluidic Pump (MFP) for Medical Field |
Honourable Mention | Hong Kong | Revolutionary Discovery of Hair |
Honourable Mention | Indonesia | Utilization of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Starch and D-Limonene from Extraction of Tangerine Orange (Citrus reticulata) for the Production of Biodegradable Plastic |
Honourable Mention | Philippines | Effects of Gibberellic Acid-3 and 6-Benzylaminopurine in increasing the Sugar Content in Stevia Rebaudiana through an In-vitro Tissue Culture Technique |
Honourable Mention | Iran | The Role of Zinc Ferrite and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles to remove Contaminants from Contaminated Water |
Honourable Mention | Indonesia | Vastric (Vanname Shrimp for Electric) Control and Monitoring Shrimp Waste’s Bioremediation as Bioelectricity based on MFCs |
Honourable Mention | Turkey | Biotechnological Potential of Anatolian Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera Anatoliaca) Venom in Cancer Research |
Physics and Engineering category
Award | Country/Region | Project Title |
Gold Award | Ireland | The Microplastic Filter – A Small Solution to a Global Problem |
Silver Award | Philippines | Hibla: An Alternative Sound Absorption Material |
Bronze Award | Hong Kong | A.I. CAMe |
Bronze Award | South Africa | Voice Control Wheelchair |
First Prize | Macau | Graphene & Sludge Water Purification System |
First Prize | Ukraine | “METLA” – UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) Universal Training Complex |
First Prize | Turkmenistan | Produce Electricity with Wind Pressure made by Piezoelectric Materials |
Second Prize | Turkmenistan | Use of Condensed Molasses Solubles as a Concrete Admixture |
Second Prize | Qatar | Medicine Tracker Device for Improving Medication Adherence |
Second Prize | Mexico | Biol: A Social, Economic and Environmental Alternative for Nuevo Leon |
Second Prize | South Africa | The Ultra-Drying Tunnel |
Second Prize | Singapore | Conversion of Rainwater to Electricity in Singapore’s High-Rise Buildings |
Second Prize | Macau | Inter-turn Short-circuits Fault Detector For Motor Rotor Winding |
Third Prize | Ireland | Reinventing the Wheel: Development of a Novel Magnetic Motion Device for Omnidirectional Movement |
Third Prize | Thailand | Development of Composite Materials from Natural Rubber with Styrene-Butadiene Rubber and Coconut Husk to Apply as Neutron Particles and Gamma Rays Shields. |
Third Prize | United Arab Emirates | Athlete Sodium Tracker – AST |
Third Prize | South Africa | Repair of Fatigue Cracking in Wood |
Third Prize | Qatar | Smart School Bus |
Third Prize | Turkmenistan | The New Earthquake-Resistant Building Model In Tetrahedral Diamond Structure |
Third Prize | Indonesia | Smart Protector: An Innovative Face Shield With Ultrasonic Sensor for Elementary and Junior Student to Minimize COVID-19 Transmission |
Third Prize | Hong Kong | E-care |
Third Prize | Turkey | Obtaining Electricity Using Cooling Water In Vehicles |
Third Prize | Indonesia | The Effects of Anti Corrosion Material Coating on Carbon Steel based on Natural Inhibitors from Bentonite Clay with Matrix Expoxy Resin in Corrosive Mediums |
Honourable Mention | South Africa | LED Car Guard Glove |
Honourable Mention | Hong Kong | Easy Go |
Honourable Mention | Indonesia | Educational COVID-19 Snake and Ladder Digital Game |
Honourable Mention | Turkey | Four Season Optimum Energy Generator Multifunctional Photovoltaic Panel |
Honourable Mention | Ukraine | AI Fresh Station |
Honourable Mention | Macau | Helper Farmer |
Honourable Mention | Qatar | Application of Thermoelectric Generators in Harvesting Solar Energy Using “sandwich” Method to Achieve Higher Overall Efficiency |
Honourable Mention | Turkey | “Together Stronger” Energy Support System |
Honourable Mention | Turkey | ProTech Wallet |
Honourable Mention | Indonesia | Auto Thanks Mini Robot for a Better Environment (ATM) |
Honourable Mention | Qatar | Portable Fridge (a helpful solution to cool foods and drinks in off-grid areas using a friendly portable fridge) |
Honourable Mention | Ukraine | RoTaR |
Honourable Mention | Vietnam | Fresh Water Condenser from Seawater Using Direct Solar Energy |
Honourable Mention | Turkey | Cleaning Oil Pollution in Oceans and Seas with the Smart Eye Method |
Honourable Mention | Qatar | Using Hydrogels for Agriculture and Flood Defense |