Young innovators from Hwa Chong Institution emerged winners for their creative solution in using recycled clam shells to purify wastewater
Singapore – April 13, 2013 – Following 28 weeks of vigorous prototyping and innovative research and design, Hwa Chong Institution emerged as the grand prize winner in the Applied Materials Clean Tech Competition (CTC) here in Singapore. Their student team’s innovative project on utilising calcium carbonate found in clam shells to remove toxic metal ions from wastewater, showcased their talents to solve critical global water problems through clean energy. As the main sponsor for the competition, Applied Materials awarded a total of USD$15,000 in cash prizes to all ten winning teams.
The grand finals in Singapore took place at the Science Centre today, where the teams presented their solutions to an eminent panel of judges that included representatives from both government and private sector stakeholders. Competing on the global stage with the mission to eradicate the lack of access to clean water, a basic human necessity the competition highlighted how young innovators were poised to address real world problems. The ten winning projects were:
“This is a moment of pride for the winning teams and Applied Materials would like to congratulate all those who participated in the entire CTC journey,” said Russell Tham, Regional President, Applied Materials South East Asia. “The students’ enthusiasm in submitting such high calibre projects is heartening and our employees who mentored them can attest to the outstanding efforts made by all teams. We hope that through this competition, students have experienced the value of innovation and technology and how it can improve people’s lives.”
“The Clean Tech Competition has provided our local students the opportunity to explore a critical area of growing concern in today’s world”, said A/Prof Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive, Science Centre Singapore. “The competition challenged the teams to creatively turn clean energy concepts into real-world solutions. This is no small feat as it requires analytical and critical thinking skills with a good grasp of related science and technology, and a deep understanding of world issues surrounding clean energy. They have made us proud indeed.”
“The choice of ‘Clean Water for All’ as this year’s challenge was extremely exciting,” said Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, Director, The Centre for Science Teaching and Learning. “Changing the world usually starts with a single idea. While much of the world takes clean water for granted, for nearly one billion people on the planet this basic human necessity is a rare commodity.”
The Clean Tech Competition is a philanthropic research and design challenge program for 15-18 year old students held annually in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, Xi’an, China and Singapore. Launched for the first time in Singapore this year, the competition received massive participation from 330 students, forming 91 teams across 23 schools. For more information about the competition, please visit www.cleantechcompetition.org.
About Applied Materials
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in providing innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products. Our technologies help make innovations like smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses around the world. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
About Science Centre Singapore
The Science Centre Singapore celebrates 35 years of promoting interest and creative learning in science and technology. Over the past 35 years, the Centre and its partners have played a pivotal role in transforming the way students and the public interact with and learn about science & technology. The Science Centre, Omni-Theatre and Snow City have engaged and enriched more than 29.5 million students and visitors since 1977. A custodian of creativity and innovation, the Centre has captured the evolution of scientific developments through unique and relevant exhibitions and shows. It continues to ignite young minds and foster new generations of scientifically savvy Singaporeans.
A non-formal educational institution and leading Science Centre in the region, the Science Centre houses 14 exhibition galleries with more than 1,000 exhibits, and another 20,000 sq metres of outdoor exhibition space showcasing the Waterworks exhibition, Ecogarden and Kinetic Garden. It also houses the Omni-Theatre — Singapore’s only dome-shaped, 5-storey high IMAX theatre. The Science Centre, Omni-Theatre and Snow City received 1.46 million visitors for FY2011/2012. For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg
About Centre for Science Teaching and Learning
The Centre for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) is a not-for-profit organisation with a mission of encouraging science learning and literacy. CSTL develops programs for people of all ages and utilises inquiry-based learning as its foundation for program development. This year marks the first in which CSTL is serving as the administrators of the Clean Tech Competition. www.cstl.org
Media Contact:
ICON International Communications
Joyce Peh / Liu Jiamin
Tel: +65 6220 2623
Email: amat@iconinternational.com.sg
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