“Enriched IT Programme” Partner School students got Best Application of Inclusive and Sustainable Community Concept Award in “STEM Challenge” (with photo)
St. Paul's Convent School Enriched IT Class students Natalie Fung, Jojo Lai, Jenny Lee, Anson To of F.3S and Ellen Chan of F.3T presented their project "Light up my Life" at the "STEM Challenge" on 28th April 2018 and they won the Best Application of Inclusive and Sustainable Community Concept Award.
"Light up my Life" is an aquaponics system for installation in retirement homes. It consists of a basin with plants, a fish tank, a water pump and custom-made apps that include a slideshow app, a fish-feeding reminder app, and a flower care app with a smart soil sensor. By using solar panels to generate electricity for the lights and water pump of the system, it is an innovative way to improve the lives of the elderly, especially those with dementia.
The main aim of the system is to promote an inclusive and sustainable community and achieve the United Nations 2023 goals of promoting climate action, good mental health and overall well-being. It helps the climate by making use of a renewable energy source while it improves peoples' mental health by maintaining a pleasant and calming mini-oasis of plants and animals for people to see.
"STEM challenge" was held by the MTR Corporation, Junior Achievement Hong Kong and Hong Kong Education City Limited that aims to encourage secondary school students to discover how things work and increase their desire to explore STEM subjects through real-world engineering challenges. Students enrolled were invited to form teams of 4 to 6 and share their vision for "Inclusive and Sustainable Communities". Teams were required to submit a concept paper and a CAD drawing to illustrate their concept.