Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Ltd (SSPC) general manager Wong Kim Mun (middle, in glasses) with team Triple Vision and their teachers from SMK Pekan Telipok.
THE world’s biggest challenges – like climate change and food shortages – require innovative solutions.
This is where Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) come in, giving the next generation of leaders the tools they need to solve these problems.
Amidst concerns about the dwindling interest among students in these vital fields, Shell Malaysia launched the Shell NXplorers programme to inspire youth and nurture their potential in STEM.
As part of the programme, secondary school students from across the country are called on to develop innovative solutions that address complex real-world challenges within the food-water-energy nexus.
Three regional competitions are held in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak with the winning teams from each region moving on to compete in the national challenge.
This year’s Sabah state winner was team Triple Vision from SMK Pekan Telipok in Tuaran, with their EnviroCan smart waste bin invention.
Team XO_Leiune from SMK All Saints in Kota Kinabalu was the first runner-up with their EcoSwitch 2.0 household “kill-switch” device.
Both teams will represent Sabah at the national Shell NXplorers Malaysia challenge later this year.
EnviroCan
Emerging as champions among nine competing schools, team Triple Vision comprising Macquel Mackie, Joanne Gwennesya Tony and Samantha Felicity Solomon secured top spot with their EnviroCan invention.
EnviroCan is a smart waste bin designed for public areas, particularly schools, featuring multiple functions and user-friendly advancements. It features an automatic lid opener, trash level indicator, lid locking mechanism and tilt sensing system, aiming to promote cleanliness and ease waste management.
The idea originated when Macquel observed a student, teacher and janitor struggling with a full trash can at school.
“Three different people had a hard time using the trash can as it was full, with trash even thrown on top of the lid, which made rubbish fall everywhere and was a threat to everyone’s health,” said the team.
Team Triple Vision comprising Macquel Mackie, Joanne Gwennesya Tony and Samantha Felicity Solomon secured top spot with their EnviroCan smart waste bin invention.
The team reiterated that EnviroCan prevents trash from piling on top, ensuring cleaner surroundings while making the janitor’s job easier – a point supported by feedback from their school principal and local health inspector.
Despite having to juggle their studies while ideating EnviroCan, the team learned valuable lessons in teamwork and problem-solving.
“At first, it was hard to understand each other's ideas, but we worked together and realised we have to understand each other to move forward,” said Joanne.
“We were unsure if our project would stand out amongst the rest, but thanks to encouragement from our teachers and mentors we pursued the idea,” added Samantha.
The team aspires to continue developing EnviroCan with plans to enhance its functionality through better cable management and renewable energy integration.
“The critical thinking skills we've gained have empowered us to explore and tackle real-life challenges, enabling us to develop solutions that can truly create positive change in our community,” they said.
EcoSwitch 2.0
First runner-up, team XO_Leiune comprising Nathylee Faye Jaikol Udar, Nichelle Essabelle James and Addent Aylwin Tan, developed EcoSwitch 2.0, building on the success of the EcoSwitch device they invented last year.
EcoSwitch 2.0 serves as a “kill switch” for household appliances, automatically turning off unused devices when all occupants in a room leave, to improve energy efficiency.
It has two primary sensors, a human presence sensor – that detects occupancy and communicates in real-time with the mobile app – and a voice recognition sensor that allows for appliance control.
The mobile app offers real-time updates, appliance control options and metrics such as total voltage, power consumption and the number of people in the room.
Team XO_Leiune comprising (front row, third from left) Nathylee Faye Jaikol Udar, Nichelle Essabelle James and Addent Aylwin Tan, developed EcoSwitch 2.0, building on the success of the EcoSwitch device they invented last year.
The idea for EcoSwitch 2.0 was borne from the challenge of addressing high electricity bills at home.
“Many of us have high electricity bills in our households. We wanted to solve this problem because while it may seem small, it has the potential to create a big impact,” they said.
The team added that the journey to developing the device was both rewarding and demanding.
“It was one of the hardest but most exciting experiences for us. We had to stay back for the last two weeks before the competition and even stayed till midnight to discuss our project.
“We’re lucky to have teachers and mentors that encouraged us to think deeply and carefully, which opened up doors to progress our project, gradually improving it over time,” they said.
The team also noted how they were able to progress both personally and as a group, thanks to the programme.
“I’ve learned to speak confidently in front of others, overcoming my previous shyness,” said Nichelle.
“I learnt many skills, such as research and problem-solving, which will benefit me in the future,” Addent shared.
“From this experience, I’ve learned the importance of teamwork and perseverance. There were many times when things didn’t go as planned, but working together helped us find solutions,” added Nathylee.
Shell NXplorers Malaysia
The Shell NXplorers programme is a dynamic global education initiative that empowers young minds to become change-makers by equipping them with essential tools, methodologies and skills to tackle real-world challenges through collaboration, innovation and interdisciplinary approaches.
Highlighting the success of the Shell NXplorers Sabah 2024, Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Ltd (SSPC) general manager Wong Kim Mun expressed his enthusiasm for the importance of STEM education in shaping the future.
“Science and engineering are the cornerstone of our business, fuelling both economic growth and social advancement,” he said.
“At Shell, we’re passionate about nurturing the next generation of innovators who will tackle real-world challenges and drive us toward a sustainable future.
“That’s why we’re committed to empowering school students with the tools, guidance and mentorship they need to ignite their interest in engineering, information technology and automation.”
Nine schools competed in Shell NXplorers Sabah 2024, namely SMK All Saints, SM La Salle, SMK St Michael Penampang, SM Sung Siew, SMK Badin, SMK Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, SMK St John, SMK Pekan Telipok and SMK St Joseph.
With the backing of the Education Ministry, Shell NXplorers Malaysia has engaged over 890 secondary school students from 26 schools nationwide.
In Sabah, 327 students were selected for a peer-to-peer sharing initiative to spread STEM knowledge across a wider community of around 1,000 students from all participating schools.
