7th imake.wemake makes way for bolder innovations and braver, more passionate young innovators

While the imake.wemake:create.innovate.collaborate competition has long proven to be an effective platform for championing groundbreaking innovations, this year’s cycle proves to be even more rewarding as it continuous to nurture young makers who are much driven and empowered to innovate for a greater purpose – to create a better Philippines.

“Madali lang yung thought na gumawa ng mga innovations. But it’s more of that passion to make outright changes and help create a better country na makakapag-push sayo na gumawa. And I hope this passion will not burn out in me,” said Czalei Ajesha M. Seguro of Masbate National Comprehensive High School, one of the school finalists who battled it out at the recent run of imake.wemake.

And Czalei is evidence of how the imake.wemake competition has continuously welcomed, honed, and developed more doers of today – sheltering young makers who know what, where, and how to innovate; why there is a need to innovate; and who they are doing it for.

After months of research and preparation, the top 20 school finalists of the 7^th imake.wemake competition have finally showcased their cool and unique innovations that mirror realities – the long-existing societal issues and problems happening in communities – and forward a scientific cause.

On July 25 and 26, 2024, the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) proceeded with the final phase of the 7^th imake.wemake competition – the Final Presentation, which is the culmination of months-long concept mapping, intensive training, and a dedicated build period where the participants brought their ideas to life, all with the goal to invent the future.

Besting 20 astonishing and trailblazing projects were innovations that aim to a) leverage capabilities of persons with disabilities, particularly the visually impaired community; b) enhance agricultural productivity of the country, and c) address the pressing need for reliable and accessible electricity in underserved communities.

The young makers basked in their well-deserved moment of victory as they have been declared winners of the esteemed Youth Innovation Prize (YIP) Award presented by Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), who is a years-long partner of imake.wemake.

Championing their project “Efficient Code Recognition and Enhanced Auditory Device (EC-READ): Reading Assistive Device for Visually Impaired,” Limay Senior High School emerged as one of the three recipients of the YIP Award.

EC READ is an assistive reading device that utilizes the Arduino platform to quickly identify and convert QR codes into auditory information, providing an affordable and efficient solution that significantly enhances the accessibility of both printed and digital materials for the visually impaired community.

The team from Iligan City National High School was also recognized as one of YIP awardees for their winning project “S.A.G.A.N.A: Smart Agriculture with Greenhouse Automated Nebulization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assessment.”

SAGANA proposes a smart aeroponic system integrated with AI-driven computer vision to enhance agricultural productivity in the Philippines. It features efficient nutrient circulation and AI-powered computer vision to monitor plant growth; thereby, addressing the challenges posed by traditional farming methods and climate change.

Completing this year’s roster of YIP awardees is the team from Bansud National High School – Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA, for their project “AQUASTELLAR: Development of an Alternative and Low-Cost Portable Lamp Using Various Electrolytes Derivative Solutions.”

AQUASTELLAR is an alternative and low-cost portable lamp designed to provide electricity in areas with unreliable or insufficient infrastructure. It uses detachable electrolyte cells, metal-metal electrodes, a 3D-printed chassis, and an Arduino Nano for intelligent control, making it suitable for both upland and lowland regions.

YIP Awardees were given certificates, a trophy, and a cash prize worth Php 200,000, courtesy of HCPI. The winning coaches also received Php 20,000 from DOST-SEI.

Aside from the YIP Award, the DOST-SEI, in partnership with C&E Publishing, Inc., also conferred the C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions (CEALS) Arduino Science Kreators Award to deserving school teams who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, technical skills, and innovative use of Arduino technology to address real-world challenges.

Masbate National Comprehensive High School won the award for their project “SILEYE: Object Detection and Identification Headgear with Voice Output for Learning of Visually Impaired Persons,” an assistive headgear that utilizes Arduino Portenta H7 and Arduino Nicla Vision to provide visually impaired individuals with enhanced environmental awareness and navigation capabilities.

Rizal National Science High School also secured the Arduino Science Kreators Award with their project “SALAMUHA: Filipino Sign Language Assistive System via Convolutional Neural Network for Holistic Learning and Inclusive Communication,” a plug-and-play sign language assistive system that aims to enhance deaf education through real-time finger and hand gesture detection.

Bantayan Science High School triumphed in with their innovation “PROJECT BASSA: An IoT-Based Buoy Automatic Sanctuary Security Assistance,” which is designed to monitor and protect the Philippine marine sanctuaries in real-time.

Each winning team received a set of Arduino Science Kit, courtesy of C&E Publishing, Inc.

The C&E Publishing, Inc. also presented the CEALS Innovation Award to the team whose project showcases exceptional design utilizing the Arduino platform and demonstrates strong market potential, hence, leveraging the creative thinking and transformative ideas of the youth to make a positive impact in the country.

City of Bogo Senior High School snatched the said Innovation Award with their project “AGRIGENT: Enhancing Greenhouse Agriculture with IoT-Enabled Automated Fertigation and Rainwater Harvesting System for Improved Crop Growth and Water Efficiency,” which aims to enhance agricultural efficiency in the Philippines, especially in water-scarce regions like Cebu City. The team received a cash prize worth Php 200,000, courtesy of C&E Publishing, Inc.

Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), a long-standing partner of imake.wemake, also presented the Young Scientist Award (YSA), which is equivalent to a conditional scholarship worth up to Php 85,000 annual grant, to deserving students who display commitment in pursuing STEM as a future career and embody outstanding values such as hard work, grit, and innovativeness to becoming the country’s future nation-builders.

Bansud National High School – Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA’s Shennon Kate P. Deogracias, Iligan City National High School’s Alessandra Elaine S. Miñoza and Aisah Esnaira R. Salic, and Limay Senior High School’s Marcus Dwayne R. Laoit were conferred the GBF YSA.

With the said scholarship, the awardees can pursue a STEM course of their choice at any university or college within the country.

The DOST-SEI thanks its partners, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., C&E Publishing, Inc., and Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, for sharing in the advocacy to create more doers and thinkers of today and for investing in the potential of the youth to be the country’s future changemakers, through the imake.wemake competition.

The powerhouse panel of experts that helped in recognizing and naming this year’s brightest ideas and most groundbreaking solutions were Engr. Percival Magpantay of University of the Philippines Diliman Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, Engr. Carlos Matti Oppus of Ateneo de Manila University School of Science and Engineering, Engr. Edison Roxas of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering, Engr. Wilfredo Calaguan of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines – Intellectual Property Business Services and Development Division, Mr. Daniel Capuyan of JG Summit Holdings, Inc., and Mr. Rodel Cruz of C&E Publishing, Inc. Their unwavering support, expertise, and undying dedication have been instrumental in making the 7th imake.wemake a success.

The imake.wemake competition has long established its value in fostering the Filipino youth’s drive in creating innovations that forward an impact. More than the goal of winning, it is much dedicated to nurture young innovators’ passion to make a difference and shape a better Philippines for Filipinos. And this remains true in its recently concluded cycle.

As Risha Andrea Lemoncito of Camarines Sur National High School said, “Don’t be afraid to fail. Kasi doon ka matututo. Hindi talaga madaling gumawa ng research at innovation. Tulad namin, marami kaming failures and errors because of our shortcomings. Pero nag-push through pa rin kami. At least, kahit hindi kami manalo, we know we tried our best. We innovated something that can contribute to the society.”

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. applauds imake.wemake for its commitment to inspire and empower students to make a change and hopes that their innovations can be championed to forward wealth creation and prosperity for the nation and its people.

“I am looking forward for your projects to reach its target audience, the Filipino masses, and to embody the ‘agham na mararamdaman ng bawat Pilipino,’” said Sec. Solidum.

With the culmination of the 7th imake.wemake, the DOST-SEI officially opens the competition’s 8^th cycle, still highlighting the importance of science and innovation in driving progress and emphasizing the youth’s role in inventing the future.