THE current landscape of innovation and progress highlights the undeniable importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. As the nation faces unprecedented challenges, equipping young talent with essential skills is crucial for fostering creativity and problem-solving capabilities.
Leading companies like Shell are stepping up to support this mission, implementing initiatives designed to inspire and empower the next generation. One such initiative, Shell NXplorers, aims to ignite a passion for STEM in young minds, ultimately shaping future leaders, thinkers and innovators.
As champions of this cause, the winners of Shell NXplorers exemplify the remarkable potential of youth when given the opportunity and support to thrive in STEM fields. Sentinels, a dynamic team from SMK Bintulu, triumphed as the state champion of the Shell NXplorers Sarawak competition, while Team Cassano from SMK Baru Bintulu emerged as the first runner-up. Both teams will represent Sarawak in the national challenge later this year.
Three regional competitions are held in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, with the winning teams from each region competing in the national challenge.
(From left) Allyson, Prof. Tuong-Thuy, Ling, Choong, Jolly, Shell NXplorers programme head Ganes Kandiah, Jaynerson, and Anselm during the announcement of the championship at this year's Shell NXplorers Sarawak competition.
Championing fresh air solutions
Sentinels, comprising Jaynerson Joelee, Allyson Yot Linton and Anselm Wong Jing Ern, were named the grand champions for their invention, DespAir. DespAir reflects their commitment to addressing air quality issues plaguing their community. This innovative solution utilises advanced ionizing technology to purify harmful particles in the air, ensuring a healthier environment for all residents. Accompanying the device is a user-friendly app that provides real-time monitoring of air quality, temperature and humidity levels, complete with alerts when pollution levels spike. By merging smart technology with affordability and energy efficiency, DespAir empowers individuals to take charge of their well-being while protecting the environment.
Sentinels’ journey into the Shell NXplorers programme began when a teacher introduced the competition to them, sparking their enthusiasm for tackling real-world problems through STEM education. They found the programme to be a catalyst for enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The extensive learning resources provided by Shell NXplorers transformed the experience into an engaging, fun and rewarding hands-on adventure. They stated that the team's innovative approach to addressing air quality, particularly in the rural areas of Bintulu, distinguished DespAir from other entries and showcased their genuine concern for the community's health.
Despite facing challenges such as burnout and creative blocks, Sentinels demonstrated resilience and adaptability. By prioritising their goals and refocusing on their shared passion for environmental protection, they successfully overcome these obstacles. Time management was another hurdle, as they juggled conflicting schedules; however, they leveraged tools like Google Calendar to coordinate meetings effectively. Motivated by their desire to make a positive impact on their community amid rising air pollution rates, the team is now poised to enhance DespAir further. "We hope to take our innovation a step further with additional features, such as artificial intelligence (AI) integration, to lessen the burden on residents and enhance user experience," they said.
The inception of DespAir stemmed from Sentinels’ keen observations of the air quality challenges faced by residents, particularly those living near industrial areas. “These citizens lack the resources to obtain special and often expensive products to improve the air quality in their homes, which led us to create a product that is tailored to their needs — eco-friendly, sustainable and affordable,” the team explained.
Collaboration played a pivotal role in Sentinels’ success, cultivating essential teamwork and communication skills while working closely with fellow participants, classmates and Shell representatives. "Collaborating on projects allowed us to combine all our diverse perspectives. I have improved my ability to articulate ideas clearly and learned the importance of active listening and respectful conflict resolution," said Allyson. Anselm added, "It helped me build strong communication skills." Jaynerson echoed this sentiment, saying, "Being part of a team has taught me that doing anything becomes faster and easier."
Additionally, the team shared that the competition equipped them with valuable skills in programming, product design and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT), preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits. For instance, Jaynerson said, "IoT is a network of interrelated devices that connect and exchange data with other IoT devices and the cloud. It's growing rapidly and will be a major industry in the future, so learning it now will certainly give me a head start."
Sentinels firmly believe that initiatives like Shell NXplorers encourage participants to think critically and creatively about solving community problems. They highlighted the importance of the mentorship and workshops provided by Shell in refining their ideas and navigating the development process.
As advice for future innovators, Sentinels emphasised passion, research, adaptability and teamwork, encouraging others to embrace challenges and stay persistent. "We envision an evolved Shell NXplorers programme that strengthens partnerships with industry leaders, giving students direct exposure to real-world challenges and career pathways," they expressed. "Additionally, fostering regional and global collaboration with international peers can broaden our perspectives as future innovators, driving us to create more sustainable solutions," they added.
(From left) Aiden, Prof Tuong-Thuy, Ling, Choong, Jolly, Angel and Khairunnisa posing during the announcement of the winners at this year’s Shell NXplorers Sarawak competition.
Innovators for the community
Team Cassano from SMK Baru Bintulu, consisting of Angel Alycia Bran, Aiden Belayong Ak Jimmy and Khairunnisa Airin Syuhaida Agus, claimed the title of first runner-up in the Shell NXplorers competition with their invention, Affal. This non-profit community app is designed to empower Bintulu residents by enabling them to compare grocery prices effortlessly. Featuring seven product categories and a comprehensive list of items from various grocery stores, Affal allows users to quickly identify the best deals in their area, making budgeting more manageable for families.
The team's journey began when they learned about the Shell NXplorers programme through their subject teacher. They were drawn to the initiative's emphasis on hands-on, real-world problem-solving, which provided them with a unique opportunity to enhance their STEM skills.
They said that their innovation stood out due to its user-centric design and practical application. Despite challenges in navigating app development and adapting to the rapid influx of new information, Team Cassano remained determined to tackle real-world issues through their app. They now plan to expand Affal's capabilities by integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability to enhance user interactivity and create a seamless shopping experience that benefits the entire community.
The inspiration for Affal emerged from the team's recognition of the difficulties their parents faced in finding affordable grocery options. By addressing this pressing community issue, the team aims to provide a valuable resource that empowers families to make informed purchasing decisions.
"Teamwork was vital to our success, as each member learned to adapt to diverse working styles and communication preferences," Angel said. "This enhanced my flexibility in collaborating with others, whether they are technical experts, creative thinkers, or industry professionals from Shell."
"Engaging with Shell representatives and classmates helped me improve how I present ideas and technical details clearly and effectively. This was essential for ensuring that everyone—regardless of their background—could follow the discussions and contribute meaningfully," added Aiden. "I learned to listen carefully to others' insights and feedback, which improved my ability to understand different viewpoints and incorporate them into our projects," shared Khairunnisa. "This fostered better communication and ensured everyone's voice was heard."
Throughout the competition, the team said they developed essential skills in project management, creative problem-solving and a strong focus on user experience—all of which will serve them well in future endeavours.
Reflecting on their Shell NXplorers experience, the Cassano team emphasised the importance of such initiatives in nurturing innovation and developing critical skills for future generations of scientists and researchers. They also acknowledged the significant role played by Shell's support, including mentorship and workshops, in shaping their project.
Angel encourages future innovators to remain curious, explore new ideas and embrace challenges with tenacity. "Keep up with the latest trends and advancements in your field of interest. Being informed will help you identify gaps in knowledge or areas where innovation is needed." Aiden emphasised, "Practice your pitch by recording it to identify areas for improvement and remember that teamwork makes the dream work—support each other to overcome challenges more easily.” Khairunnisa added, "Innovation often requires time and effort; stay committed to your ideas, even when facing challenges or setbacks."
Team Sentinels presenting their invention at the Shell NXplorers Sarawak Competition 2024 (left), while one of the Cassano team members presents their innovative project, Affal (right).
Shaping future leaders
“It’s incredibly inspiring to witness the enthusiasm these students bring to creativity and developing solutions for a brighter future,” said Shell Malaysia Upstream (Sarawak Gas) general manager Choong Yen Li.
“Shell’s goal is to nurture local talent in Sarawak towards fostering innovative solutions for complex problems, which are key in closing the skills gap our future demands. These students are our future leaders, capable of guiding the world towards a cleaner and more sustainable path.”
Eight schools competed in Shell NXplorers Sarawak - SMK Singai, SMK Kidurong, SMK Bintulu, SMK Baru Bintulu, SMK Asyakirin, SMK Lutong, SMK Pujut and SMK Riam.
The judges for the day were Curtin University Malaysia Faculty of Engineering and Science dean Prof Dr Tuong-Thuy Vu, Miri Education Department planning unit assistant district education officer Dr Ling Mei Teng and Choong. Also in attendance at the Shell NXplorers 2024 Sarawak challenge was Shell Malaysia corporate relations (East Malaysia) general manager Jonathan Jolly.
With support from the Education Ministry, Shell NXplorers Malaysia engaged over 890 secondary school students from 26 schools nationwide. These students had the opportunity to experience hands-on STEM learning with an emphasis on technology and sustainability while cultivating teamwork, communication skills and creativity.
To learn more on Shell NXplorers Malaysia click here.
