City students’ big idea takes the top prize
FARMING PROJECT IMPRESSES JUDGES
THREE students from Leicester Grammar School Trust have won a national competition for an innovative green idea designed to tackle fertiliser misapplication by farmers.
Aditya Mathur, Ali Kamel and Lucas Hoffman won the Siemens Digital Decarbonisation Award at The Big Bang Competition after wowing the judges with their “AgriPod”, which is designed to prevent water contamination for farmers.
The creation followed Aditya’s visit to a relative’s farm in northern India, where he discovered that there was a vast array of potential issues that could be addressed with a technology and data-based solution.
Aditya said: “Fertiliser misapplication has detrimental effects on the environment and communities and fertiliser run-off increases costs for farmers and contaminates water sources.
“When speaking to one farmer, it was highlighted that it can be incredibly difficult to ascertain the correct time and conditions needed to apply fertiliser correctly and efficiently.”
Since its creation, the project has attracted the attention of the Indian Ministry of Agriculture.
The Siemens Digital Decarbonisation Award looks for a project that will transform the everyday using digital innovation and skills.
Aditya, Ali and Lucas’ project was one of hundreds submitted to The Big
Bang Competition, an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people’s achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as helping them build skills and confidence in project-based work.
Congratulating the students, Dr Hilary Leevers, chief executive of Engineering UK, which organises the competition, said: “Aditya, Ali and Lucas really impressed the judges with their project and congratulations to them on winning this special award.
“We received hundreds of incredible entries and the quality of the work undertaken impresses us each year.
“Young people have shown incredible resilience and determination during the past couple of years and the ambition, passion and enthusiasm the students show for their projects are truly inspiring.
“It certainly bodes well for the future that the scientists, engineers and inventors of tomorrow are already producing such astute and creative project work – congratulations to all those involved.”