UPHSI students’ irrigation system project earns spot in Southeast Asian competition

The solar-powered drip irrigation system project of the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) grade 8 students is among the 30 winners of the STEM Project Competition by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Regional Centre for STEM Education (SEAMEO STEM-ED).

On Feb. 15, SEAMEO STEM-ED posted on their Facebook page the results of the competition that had 400 applicants during the acceptance period from Oct. 1, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023.

The group, composed of UPHSI students Guillane Marie Agreda, Chara Louise Joven, and Francheska Marie Loreña, earned a spot through their project named “Aquastra: Solar-Powered Drip Irrigation System,” under the supervision of Mr. Vicente Armones IV.

It was fueled by their advocacy on spreading awareness on droughts in the Philippines to the youth sector and finding potential solutions.

They developed a working model of a solar-powered drip irrigation system to provide a proof of concept for their solution to the said problem.

They worked on their plant box by putting soil and planting monggo seeds. They then attached two solar panels and eventually utilized their irrigation system.

Their project is the culmination of their Project-Based Learning experiences in Fundamentals of Earth Science II – Meteorology and Climate Science.

The STEM Project Competition was conducted to assist and enhance the youth’s problem-solving skills by utilizing STEM-integrated knowledge.

Finalists are promised to have the opportunity to showcase their projects on March 10 at the SEA STEM Fair and Expo 2023. (Mr. Carlson B. Alelis, IPO with sources from UPHSI and SEAMEO STEM-ED)