Three schools received the grand prize in a government youth innovation competition sponsored by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI).

HCPI announced in an August 2023 press statement that three science high school teams each got the Youth Innovation Award, along with a ₱200,000 cash grant, in the sixth cycle of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) “imake.wemake:create.innovate.collaborate” competition.

The contest “promotes creative and collaborative mindsets among students by enabling them to solve actual problems in their communities or achieve a particular purpose using critical thinking, experimentation, risk analysis, engineering, and technical skills,” said HCPI.

The Japanese carmaker signed on as a partner for the competition on March 2023.

It featured the projects of 20 finalists selected from 89 participating schools. The teams were composed of students and teacher-coaches, who dedicated 90 days to designing, building and testing their project prototypes.

The winners were awarded on July 27 to 28, 2023 at the Crimson Hotel in Muntinlupa City. They include:

Cavite Science Integrated School

• Title: “Project KALINGA: Geolocation Estimation of Forest Activities Using Triangulation and Sound Classification 

• Abstract: The project aims to address the long-standing issue of illegal logging and deforestation in the Philippines and aid forest rangers in monitoring them. It works by using the triangulation method and sound classification to estimate the geographical location of sounds – specifically, to detect sounds of equipment used in illegal forest activities. Team members are Uno A. Café, Rainier M. Guinto, Sigmund Francis S. Manalo and Precious A. Zapanta, with coach Ms. Elain E. Malones.

Philippine Science High School – CALABARZON Region Campus

• Title: “SAMGIOP: Development of an IoT-based Sensory Device for Leaf Damage and Abiotic Factors in Cabbage” 

• Abstract: As an innovative response to the pest infestation problem in cabbage, the technology works via a two-part system: the SAMGIOP rover that detects leaf damage and the SAMGIOP slave that detects abiotic factors – non-living chemical and physical aspects of an environment. The monitoring device relies on the Internet of Things (IoT) mechanisms with a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) embedded in the Raspberry Pi. Team members are Harvae C. De La Cruz, Joanna Daniella C. Fajardo, Ma. Hannah Isabel L. Suguitan and Anjirehl Ernest Godfrei C. Zapata, with coach Ms. Marizel B. Villanueva.

Vinzons Pilot High School

• Title: “E-QUIA: Remotely Operated Electrostatic Collector of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Microplastics in Freshwater Environment” 

• Abstract: Addressing the environmental damage caused by microplastics, particularly in freshwater, E-QUIA is a remote-controlled device that collects microplastics from freshwater environments via an electrostatic filtration system. The device uses an environmentally friendly method of separating microplastics from freshwater via electrostatic charges. Team members are Alliyah C. Cambronero, Reynier Francis E. Espinola, Allen Misty B. Jalina and Lea Monina G. Pioquinto, with coach Mr. Jason N. Bargo.

“May our young Filipino innovators continue to become bearers of hope for the country, and never give up trying to help solve different problems through technology and innovation,” said HCPI vice president Louie Soriano.

“Always remember that you can dream big dreams and that you have the power to realize a better life for your family and your communities,” he added.

Congratulations to the winning schools!

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