STUDENTS from the three campuses of the Philippine Science High School System won top awards at the special edition of the Young Inventors Challenge in Malaysia last week.

For their entry titled “Portable Cyanide Concentration Detection Device Using Curcumin-Based Paper Strips,” David Elijah Corsini Atup, Josefino Nino Ligan and Chesyne Danielle Pepito of PSHS-Central Visayas Campus were declared as the grand champion after winning the Platinum Award.

Dr. Benito Baje, Engr. Gencianus Alphonsus Retardo and Dr. Rey Capangpangan served as coaches and consultants.

Meanwhile, Judd Christian Bañas, Adriel Tillo and Miko Miro of PSHS-Caraga Region Campus won the Gold Award for their innovation “PbSense-Leading Humans Away from Toxic Grounds: A portable Lead Sensing System.”

They were coached by Engr. Nerry Catalonia Nuñez.

The team from PSHS-Ilocos Region Campus composed of Dranreb Jes Colcol, Decier Oliver Mapile, Jodi Emrian Salvacion Manlapaz, Aron Apreal Real and Maxine Ruth Wapan won the Bronze Award.

They were acknowledged for their project “CommuniTree: A Philippine Platform for Community-Driven Reforestation.”
The group was mentored by Kris Rialubin and Faith Tarlit.

YIC 2022 is organized by the Association of Science, Technology, and Innovation, an association of educators, scientists, industry representatives, and individuals who are committed “to advancing the role of the scientific community in inspiring the youth of the nation to join and excel in the world of science, organized the international competition.”

358 teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, India, the United States and the Philippines submitted proposals.

The 121 shortlisted teams that submitted their project report and invention pitch video were judged by a panel of 80 individuals.