On July 13th, 2024, Ultech Engineering enjoyed participating in the Curtin Ecotech Marvel Innovator Challenge, part of the larger STEM Trailblazers 2024 event held at Curtin University Malaysia. This competition brought together young talents from primary and secondary schools across Miri, Subis, and Bintulu, aiming to present innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Ultech Engineering was represented by our dedicated engineers, who served as judges for the competitions held on the event's second day. Among them was Miss Bong Chu Jun, Assistant Sales and Service Manager from Ultech Engineering who judged the Secondary School Track for the Curtin Ecotech Marvel Innovator Challenge, Miss Wong Voon Xing, Automation and Control Engineer from Ultech Engineering judged the Primary School Track for the Curtin Ecotech Marvel Innovator Challenge, and Mr. Mike Law, Automation and Control Engineer from Ultech Engineering, judged for Sun Power Workshop and Challenge.
The competition featured impressive projects from various schools in Miri and Bintulu, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of the students through these competitions:
Ultech Engineering was represented by our dedicated engineers, who served as judges for the competitions held on the event's second day. Miss Bong Chu Jun was among them, who judged the Secondary School Track for the Curtin Ecotech Marvel Innovator Challenge. The competition featured impressive projects from five schools, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of the students:
Their "Power Generating Tiles" project focused on generating electricity from students' footsteps to power lights around the school. This innovative approach to sustainable energy earned them Fifth place. The project demonstrated a keen understanding of renewable energy sources and practical applications within the school environment.
The "Hawk Spoon" project presented an edible spoon made from watermelon rinds, edible glycerine, and halal gelatine. Designed to reduce plastic pollution and lessen harm to nature, this project secured Second place. The students' attention to sustainability and environmental impact was commendable, offering a viable alternative to single-use plastic utensils.
The "Mangrove Forest Rehabilitation" project involved using robots for mangrove planting to combat the ongoing loss of mangrove forests in Malaysia. Their efforts were rewarded with a third-place finish. This project highlighted the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and demonstrated the innovative use of robotics in environmental conservation.
The "Smart Garden System" project won 1st place for its innovative approach to gardening. The system integrated smart technology to monitor and manage garden conditions, ensuring optimal growth. Additionally, one of the team members received the STEM Icon Award for her exceptional pitching skills, showcasing her ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
Their "Masked Case" project aimed to help save the environment by offering multiple uses for a single mask. They won 4th place for their environmentally focused project.
In the primary school section, five schools competed with equally impressive projects, reflecting the enthusiasm and creativity of younger students. Ultech Engineering was well-represented, with Miss Wong Voon Xing serving as a judge for the Primary School Track of the Curtin Ecotech Marvel Innovator Challenge.
Their project, "Penghalau Burung Layang-Layang," aimed to deter birds from nesting on walls and other structures. They secured 5th place in this competition. The project addressed a common issue in urban environments, offering a humane solution to manage bird populations.
The "OmniSoap" project involved creating soap from reused oil, packaged creatively. This environmentally friendly project earned them 2nd place. The students' ingenuity in repurposing waste materials into useful products was impressive, highlighting the potential for sustainable practices in everyday life.
Their "Magic Cube" project focused on environmental sustainability and won 3rd place. The project aimed to educate and engage the community on environmental issues through interactive and engaging methods, demonstrating the students' commitment to raising awareness about sustainability.
The "ECO Sort Smart Bin" used image classification technology to sort garbage automatically. This innovative project earned 4th place. The smart bin system aimed to improve waste management efficiency and reduce human error, showcasing the students' understanding of technology's role in solving environmental problems.
Their "Floating Garden" project was designed to help plants survive floods. This ingenious solution won them 1st place. The project addressed a significant issue in flood-prone areas, demonstrating the student's ability to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges.
The event also featured the "Sun Power Workshop and Challenge," held in LTCL 6. Ultech Engineering was well-represented, with Mr. Mike Law, an Automation and Control Engineer from Ultech Engineering, serving as a judge for the Sun Power Workshop and the Curtin Ecotech Marvel Innovator Challenge. Students were tasked with building a solar-powered fountain from scratch and presenting it.
The storyline for this competition was: "A grandmother wishes to have a fountain in her house without any power connection, so it needs to be solar-powered." Students were divided into three groups: solar power engineers, pump engineers, and architects. Seven groups participated in this session from the following schools; SMK Lutong, SMK Chung Hua Miri, SMK Luak, SMK Merbau, Riam Road Secondary School and two groups from Kolej Vokasional Miri.
1. Solar Power Engineers: Made the solar panels/cells and tested them under the sun, ensuring the energy generation was sufficient to power the fountain.
2. Pump Engineers: Built the pump using bottle caps to spin and push water out, focusing on creating an efficient and sustainable water pumping system.
3. Architects: Built and designed the fountain, integrating the work of the other teams into a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing final product.
Seven schools competed in this session, with the following results:
The Sun Power Workshop and Challenge provided students with hands-on experience in engineering and renewable energy, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Ultech Engineering is proud to support competitions like the Curtin Ecotech Marvel Innovator Challenge, which inspires and encourages the next generation of young innovators. The creativity and dedication displayed by these young students are truly commendable, and we look forward to seeing their future contributions to the field of science and technology.
By participating in such events, Ultech Engineering reaffirms its commitment to fostering education and innovation within the community. These competitions provide a platform for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
We congratulate all the participants for their outstanding efforts and achievements. Their innovative projects and dedication to solving real-world problems are a testament to the bright future of engineering and technology. We eagerly anticipate the continued growth and success of these young innovators, who are poised to make significant contributions to our world.
