Menyenya Secondary student innovators lead at YSK science fair

Students of Menyenya Secondary School in Nyamira County, Bradford Nyangiri and Felix Makori have emerged as the overall winners of the seventh edition of the Annual Young Scientists Kenya [YSK] National Science and Technology Exhibition.

Their project, titled "Sunken Cooking Jacket," stood out in a competitive field of 1780 submissions of young innovators, earning them this prestigious accolade under the Chemical, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences category, specifically in the Energy and Transport sector.

The Sunken Cooking Jacket is a groundbreaking multi-functional cooking stove designed for maximum efficiency and versatility.

The innovative stove, featuring three cooking points powered by a single fire source, is equipped with a fixed copper coil that simultaneously heats water while cooking.

“The design significantly reduces energy waste by insulating cooking vessels, ensuring more energy is directed toward cooking rather than being lost,” explained Bradford Nyangira.

Students from Mombasa County, Memon Academy High School’s Aymaan Khandwalla and Marithiya Issa, the second-place winners were recognized for their project, the Eco Super Absorbent Biopolymer.

“Eco Super Absorbent Biopolymer, material project excels in water absorption and retention, making it ideal for applications such as baby and adult diapers, as well as sanitary napkins," said Aymaan Khandwalla

“when integrated into soil, it improves water retention, enabling crops to survive under conditions of low rainfall, drought, and soil degradation. This innovation is poised to play a critical role in addressing the challenges posed by global warming and climate change."

Chief Judge YSK Awards 2024, Professor Anne Muigai of the Kenya Defense Forces said judging was an intense process that required 129 judges to analyze 1,780 submitted abstracts.

“After which we ended up with 38 abstracts”.

The overall winners received a range of prizes, including a scholarship at Strathmore University for a STEM course, an all-expenses-paid trip to Ireland to attend the Irish BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition sponsored by the Irish Embassy, Sh100,000 in cash and a mobile phone courtesy of Safaricom.

The YSK Awards runners up were awarded, Sh80,000 in cash, a mobile phone and the Year Runner-Up Trophy.

Launched in 2017, YSK has been at the forefront of preparing young people for the rapidly evolving digital age by engaging high school students in technological innovation.

"By encouraging high school students to engage with technology creatively and innovatively, we not only equip them with essential skills for the future but also nurture a generation of thinkers and problem-solvers who can drive positive societal change,” stated YSK National Director Victor Mwongera.

This year’s exhibition celebrated the innovations of high school students from all 47 counties in Kenya, underscoring their contributions to STEM.

Deputy Ambassador of Ireland Evelyn Maris said that it is inspiring to see students identifying challenges within their communities and developing innovative solutions to address them.

"We are proud to support and walk alongside these students on their journey of collaboration and innovation, regardless of gender, geographical location, or financial circumstances,” said Maris.

Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali, said that by partnering with YSK, it will help young people tap into the transformative power of technology by making STEM courses more attractive

Professor Dickson Andala, CEO of the National Research Fund, emphasized the critical role of research and innovation in Kenya's economic growth.

“Research fuels innovation, introducing better production techniques and more efficient processing methods that benefit the economy in the long run.”