Cambridge competition helps students understand and combat climate change
The International Education Group of Cambridge University Press & Assessment has awarded two schools in Mongolia and the USA a top Cambridge prize for excelling in sustainability-related projects.
Students from Shine Ue School, Mongolia
Students from Shine Ue School, Mongolia
Students from Shine Ue School in Mongolia and Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy in the USA both received the Best in World prize for the Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition. The students impressed the judges with their creative thinking, scientific skills, and teamwork, focusing on projects related to water quality and sustainability.
In total, 270 school teams from around the world took part in the competition, which helps develop learners’ passion for science through practical skills that complement their academic studies.
Students aged between 14 and 16 years old, studying for Cambridge IGCSEs or Cambridge O Levels, worked in small teams to conduct their own scientific investigations as extra-curricular activities.
The competition encourages investigations into areas of practical or community relevance and gives students the chance to connect science to real-world problems.
Sampling microorganisms in the Selbe River
Students from Shine Ue School in Mongolia tested whether the water quality of the local Selbe River, a source of drinking water, was affected by flooding.
They visited the local university to learn how to analyse water samples using a biotic index (a measure of the range of microorganisms) and compared the quality of water samples before and after flooding. They found a higher index score in August indicated floods adversely affect the river's water quality.
The judges were particularly impressed by the team’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn new scientific techniques in pursuit of their goal.
Their teacher, Tamir Surenjav, said: “Our students mastered various techniques throughout, making it an unforgettable experience. We are committed to extending our study to gather more precise data and explore how urban life influences water quality.”
Cleaning water with seaweed
Students at the Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy in the USA tested the ability of a seaweed extract (sodium alginate) to absorb copper (a heavy metal ion) from water as a low-cost, sustainable solution to producing cleaner water.
Team member Liam McLaughlin said: “I know we're all interested in sustainability, and that's a big issue in our world right now, using nonrenewable and unsustainable resources. We wanted to have something that deals with the environment and is a potential solution.”
Executive Director of the Academy, Mr. Michael Twilling, was impressed with the students' enthusiasm: “The school had so little to do with this – it was their initiative, their planning, their time and energy! They have a passion for science, and these three students are not waiting until they are out of school to change the world – they are starting now.”
The Sustainability Award
New for 2023, the Sustainability Award recognises the significant role that scientific knowledge, ways of thinking, and skills can play in helping us understand and tackle the climate crisis. It also acknowledges the quantity and sheer quality of submissions from Cambridge schools that connect to the environment and broader sustainability themes.
Three students from SpInS Interactional School, Indonesia, won the Sustainability Award for their research into creating sustainable packaging from corn plants.
Team members were concerned with the effects of deforestation in the paper industry and wanted to find an alternative, more sustainable packaging material by looking at a local produce: corn.
Team member Luna Chai, said: “Participating in this competition was an incredible, mind-opening experience, where we could gain knowledge, cultivate essential skills and push ourselves to be curious about our surroundings.”
Principal at SpInS Interactional School, Sanjana Bhat said: "When we see students repeatedly visit the library and stay back to discuss with their teachers results of their experiments, we feel reassured about the luminous future of the young generation. It is exhilarating that schools are the platform where science and creativity can be imbibed in young minds."
Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International Education at Cambridge, commented: “These innovative projects not only showcase students’ scientific prowess but also highlight their dedication and compassion to address real-world challenges in sustainability.
"We remain steadfast in our mission to provide an education that not only meets the short-term needs – achieving a place at higher education or securing a job – but also inspires learners to change the world for the better. Together with teachers, we are shaping the learners who will shape the world.”
Read more about the Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition and find out how your school could enter
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