Young innovators excel in Shell NXplorers

THE importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is paramount, as it serves as the foundation for many of the innovations and advancements that characterise our modern society.

STEM education equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle real-world problems, enabling them to develop ground-breaking solutions.

In the 2023 Shell NXplorers Peninsular Malaysia Challenge – Shell’s STEM related competition, the champion and first runner-up have harnessed the essence of STEM to create innovative solutions, demonstrating the immense potential of young minds to shape a brighter future.

Team Tri-C-Cle from SMK Bandar Puncak Jalil was crowned as the champion, while JAM from SMK Aminuddin Baki emerged as the first runner-up in the competition, showcasing their brilliance by unveiling ground-breaking projects with potential to create a positive impact to society.

Both these schools will represent Peninsular Malaysia at the national Shell NXplorers Malaysia challenge, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 8.

Team Tri-C-Cle with their invention.

Empowering user safety

Team Tri-C-Cle, comprising of Choong Yan Ying, Chong Zi Hao, and Chan Kit Yeong, has developed an ingenious solution named “Voice Guardian,” a mobile app with a mission to prioritise user security.

This discreet yet powerful application stands out as a lifeline for users facing critical situations.

The app is equipped with a unique feature: a predetermined safe-word voice command that silently activates the application to connect with emergency services.

This innovative approach guarantees swift and quiet access to assistance in critical situations.

“We have come across numerous reports addressing personal safety, particularly for women, and we aspire to create a transformation in this regard,” the team revealed.

The team discovered the Shell NXplorers programme through their school science teacher.

“Our innovation, as a phone application, solely relies on a mobile phone, which makes it accessible to all. This is especially vital since our application aims to protect lives and provide a sense of safety for the whole community,” Team Tri-C-Cle shared.

Tri-C-Cle plans to further optimise the app to ensure a more user-friendly experience.

“We hope to popularise this app among the community to encourage them to make full use of it,” Kit Yeong shared.

Regarding the competition, they said it provided a valuable experience for them, and that alone pushed them to be active in Shell NXplorers.

Tri-C-Cle also explained that the Shell NXplorers programme has improved their STEM skills.

“Throughout this programme, we have acquired the skills to think critically using the Shell NXplorers Explore, Create, and Change process, and we also gained tech proficiency to code and develop applications.”

Like any innovative journey, Team Tri-C-Cle faced their share of challenges, including time constraints due to heavy school assignments and other commitments. Learning effective time management proved crucial in navigating these challenges, they explained.

Additionally, Yan Ying elaborated that working closely with fellow participants, classmates, and Shell representatives also improved their teamwork and communication abilities by encouraging them to attentively consider diverse perspectives and amalgamate their ideas.

“Besides technical knowledge like programming, we also learned a lot about good and persuasive presenting and communicative skills. These skills will be our future assets that are applicable in our university and professional work environment, helping us achieve our dreams smoothly,” they pointed out.

According to Zi Hao, “We get the chance to apply our STEM knowledge to solve issues in the real world, which really trains us to work in fields of STEM in the future.”

They also emphasised that Shell mentors provided valuable guidance, covering every aspect of the project’s development, from coding to presentation skills.

On advice to aspiring innovators, Yan Ying said, “They have to maintain an enduring sense of curiosity about the world. They have to continually inquire into the reasons behind events and phenomenas, as this practice can inspire novel insights from daily life experiences.”

Team JAM testing their invention.

Reimagining student attendance tracking

Team JAM garnered the first runner-up position with their innovative project, “Sookad,” a student attendance database system.

What distinguishes Sookad is its use of state-of-the-art AI cameras to capture attendance through parents’ car registration numbers and streamlining attendance management.

Additionally, Sookad features a proactive notification system, sending real-time notifications to students during pick-up times, facilitating smooth transitions between school and home.

This innovative project optimises attendance management while enhancing communication between educational institutions, students, and parents.

The team members, Areef Iman Saiful Bahri, Sai Natth Rau Gopinath Rao, and Kaeden Kok Jin Ren envisioned Sookad to alleviate parental stress and make schools safer and more efficient.

Their innovation redefines attendance tracking by merging AI technology, app development, hardware integration, and smart structural design into one project.

“We believe that our system would be the first to be implemented in a school environment in Malaysia and this can set a stepping stone for the next era of smart revolutionary schools,” the team shared.

The team emphasised that Sookad was born out of the need to address the everyday challenges faced by students and parents.

The idea for Sookad was inspired by a friend’s driver who regularly encountered gridlock and heavy traffic when picking up students. Recognising that this was a daily challenge faced by many, the team decided to take on the project and address the issue.

The team aims to commercialise their invention in schools and broaden its use across Kuala Lumpur, easing congestion at school pick-up locations and fostering a safer school environment.

“Now that Sookad has the necessary resources and backing, it can become a reality. Finally, should Sookad prove to be a huge success at our school, we intend to promote it to other schools in Kuala Lumpur to broaden our market,” Areef Iman highlighted.

Participating in the Shell NXplorers programme has equipped Team JAM with invaluable skills, including critical thinking, analytical skills, and practical STEM applications. The competition has honed their problem-solving abilities and reinforced theorical knowledge.

“I believe this competition has a great potential to groom the next generation of scientists and researchers. Shell NXplorers teaches us to use critical thinking to solve problems in our world using the resources around us, which is important for the roles of scientists and researchers,” Kaeden shared.

TEAM JAM credited Shell’s facilitators and judges for providing guidance and feedback that significantly improved their project.

“The regular check-ins by Shell representatives helped us to stay on track throughout the project’s development,” Kaeden added.

On advice to potential innovators, Kaeden said,“Be brave, seize opportunities, and do not be afraid of failure, as it’s a stepping stone to success.

“Joining STEM competitions, like this one, is a great opportunity to showcase innovations and gain essential life skills.”

Fostering STEM innovation

“Science and engineering are at the heart of our business and is a crucial contributor towards

economic and social progress,” said Shell Malaysia legal head Rodziah Zainudin.

“Shell is driven in developing our students towards becoming innovators, who will go on to lead discoveries that will address real-world issues, while meeting national aspirations for a sustainable future.

“As such, we are focused on empowering school students to take an early interest in fields of engineering, information technology and automation by providing them with the needed tools, guidance and mentorship.”

Eight schools participated in the Shell NXplorers Peninsular Malaysia competition – SMK Aminuddin Baki, SMK Bandar Puncak Jalil, SMK Bukit Damansara Utama, SMK Bukit Sentosa, SMK Putrajaya Presint 11(1), SMK Seksyen 9, SMK Taman Sri Rampai, and SMK Zon R1 Wangsa Maju.

With the Education Ministry’s support, Shell NXplorers Malaysia engaged over 1,000 secondary school students from 26 schools nationwide, offering them hands-on STEM learning experiences with a particular focus on technology.

In Peninsular Malaysia, 700 students were selected, and a peer-to-peer coaching system was established to share knowledge with about 12,000 students from all participating Peninsular Malaysia schools.

Shell NXplorers is a global educational initiative that equips young individuals to tackle real-world problems, fostering collaboration, innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches to address the world’s complex challenges effectively.

For more information about Shell NXplorers Malaysia, click here.