An inspiring STEM exhibition took place to celebrate World Ceremony and Innovation Day on April 10, 2023, following a program titled Stem4Youth, a groundbreaking program initiated by IMCD Indonesia in partnership with YCAB Foundation which marks a significant milestone in the realm of education for underprivileged youth in Indonesia. This program seeks to ignite a passion for STEM education among young students, facilitated by the sponsorship of their high school education. By connecting their interests and skills to potential STEM careers, these students gain invaluable insights and receive comprehensive training in new skills and work readiness.
The STEM Exhibition’s highlight is to showcase the unique STEM projects created by six enthusiastic groups from YCAB Rumah Belajar. Ms. Adelia Sia, Managing Director of IMCD Indonesia, inaugurated the exhibition, alongside Ms. Rini Triyuni, Head of Program Operations, and Mr. Subagyo, S.Pd, M.Pd, West Jakarta Sub-Department Representative II.
The event featured a diverse range of projects, each focusing on sustainable solutions and innovation. Let’s explore some of the captivating ideas that were presented:
- One group presented an innovative hydroponic system, where plants grow with their roots submerged directly in nutrient-rich water. This soil-less approach offers urban farmers a sustainable solution, maximizing crop yield while conserving water resources.
- Another group embarked on worm farming, utilizing compost waste to cultivate worms as fishing bait. Employing foam containers with insulation protects the worms from abrupt temperature changes, ensuring optimal growth and contributing to a more sustainable fishing industry.
- The exhibition also highlighted an aquaponic system, which showcases the symbiotic relationship between fish and plants. In this sustainable farming method, fish waste provides nutrients for plant growth, while the plants purify the water for the fish. This integrated system holds promising potential for future food production.
- One group focused on creating an organic pesticide using Noni fruits (Mengkudu) to combat rodents. By developing liquid or spray pesticides, they aim to provide a safer and environmentally friendly alternative for households, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.
- Addressing the issue of waste cooking oil, another group collected used cooking oil from the neighborhood to create aromatherapy candles. This innovative recycling initiative not only reduces waste but also adds a delightful fragrance to the environment.
In the spirit of addressing plastic pollution, a group sought to transform plastic waste into fuel oil. Their ongoing research aims to develop a safe and environmentally-friendly methodology, contributing to a greener future and mitigating the impact of plastic waste.
During the competition, Group 3 stood out with its Aquaponic System, showcasing the potential of sustainable agriculture. Group 4 impressed the judges with their innovative Rodenticides Spray, providing an organic solution to household rodent issues. Lastly, Group 6’s Waste Plastic Fuel Oil project garnered recognition for its groundbreaking efforts in addressing plastic waste.
The exhibition was graced by esteemed guest judges, including Mr. H. Ramlan, Mr. Ridha Maasir, Mr. Michael Bliss, and Ms. Neneng Julia Rizki. Their expertise and insight further validated the projects’ significance and impact, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation process.
The World Ceremony and Innovation Day exhibition is proof of the ingenuity and dedication of the young minds involved. These STEM projects showcased innovative ideas and sustainable solutions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and creativity in shaping a better future.