TECH4GOOD
Judging the entries to the innovation competition for high school students was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Over three packed days, I evaluated almost three hundred brilliant ideas, each tackling pressing societal issues with innovative solutions. Every moment spent judging was not just worth the time — it reinforced my belief in the potential of our youth and highlighted an urgent need for support and resources to nurture these brilliant minds.
Organized by a global consumer electronics brand, the competition drew the best ideas from high schools all over the country. Our young minds’ creativity, ingenuity, and passion have genuinely astounded me. The sheer number of submissions is a testament to the potential of our next generation.
From sustainable energy solutions to cutting-edge medical technologies, the breadth and depth of ideas presented were nothing short of inspiring. Several ideas involved solutions for agriculture productivity, improving waste management, flood control, mitigating climate change, and even magnetic levitation motorcycles. What is even more exciting is that many entries involve the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT). Clearly, these young innovators are not just dreaming of a better future; they’re actively working to build it.
Projects that particularly caught my eye involved novel approaches to reducing plastic pollution. Several teams had developed biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics derived from renewable resources. Not only did their solution address a critical environmental issue, but it also demonstrated a keen understanding of the economic and social implications of plastic waste.
Several ideas feature renewable energy initiatives that harness kinetic energy from everyday human activities to power homes and public facilities. They propose a continuous and sustainable energy supply by integrating piezoelectric materials into urban infrastructure, such as sidewalks and roads. Their meticulous research and practical approach showed that they are both dreamers, budding engineers, and environmental scientists.
These are just examples of the projects that showcased the students’ dedication to making the world a better place. These young thinkers exhibited a level of creativity and problem-solving acumen that belies their age and a deep understanding of the societal issues they aimed to address. They were not just participating in a competition but envisioning and crafting the future.
As a judge, it was my responsibility to evaluate these projects based on their innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. However, it’s important to remember that these young minds are still developing. They may not have all the answers, but they show the passion, curiosity, and skills to find them.
Witnessing the potential of these young minds, it is crucial that we, as a society, invest in these young innovators. Their ideas and solutions have the power to address some of the most critical challenges we face as a society. By providing them with the resources, mentorship, funding, and support they need, we can empower them to bring their ideas to life. I hope to see them as scientists, technologists, and engineers. That will indeed move the needle as far as our country’s aspirations to become a global innovation hub are concerned.
To truly harness their potential, we must create an enabling environment that allows their creative juices to flow freely. This means investing in STEM education, fostering innovation in every school, and creating opportunities for young people to connect with industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Parents, communities, and the government must also play their part. We also need to provide them with opportunities to further their studies at the postgraduate level.
Another way to support young innovators is to encourage curiosity and experimentation from an early age. This means creating a learning environment where questions are welcomed and failure is seen as a stepping stone to success. It involves providing opportunities for hands-on learning, where kids can tinker, experiment, and discover new things.
Some of the entries, however, had solutions looking for problems, maybe because they were written as research projects. These young innovators need to be mentored in clearly stating the situation they are trying to solve. Understanding the concept of design thinking at a young age would provide them with the framework for creating solutions to specific issues.
I laud the organizers’ efforts to provide a space to publicly celebrate the ideas of these young innovators through the competition. Highlighting success stories can help inspire other kids and motivate them to think creatively about problem-solving.
Reflecting on this incredible experience as a judge, I am optimistic about the future. The passion and creativity displayed by these young innovators tell me that we are in capable hands. However, we need to start taking action now to support them if we want to cultivate the next generation of innovation leaders. The competition is not just an event but a celebration of potential – a reminder that our future is bright when we empower our youth to dream big and act boldly.
The author is an executive member of the National Innovation Council, lead convener of the Alliance for Technology Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), vice president of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines, and vice president of UP System Information Technology Foundation. ([email protected])