The International STEM Youth Innovation Competition is an event for students under the age of 18, organised by the British International Education Association (BIEA). It aims to raise the level of technological enthusiasm among students from all over the world as well as to stimulate students’ passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The competition builds bridges between science, technological innovation, education, and young people across a variety of industries. 2019 will be the first international competition, with student teams from around the world taking part to design and develop drones in the battle of protecting wild and endangered animals.
Habitat Loss
Over the last hundred years we know of at least 96 species of animals that have gone extinct, that is, lost to this world forever. Humanity has proven itself unable to stem the tide of destruction that it has caused through its actions. Our abuse of the environment has come at a high price as more and more species are added to the critically endangered lists, but there is a weapon in our arsenal that we can use to try to change the future: Technology.
The competition theme in 2019 reflects two major concepts: Technological innovation and conservation of endangered animal species: “Fighting extinction”.
Competition Overview
The STEM teams had to complete 4 challenges. They were”
Report writing: Competitors will use the Internet to research, design and write a report about a drone that can help conserve an endangered animal species.
Innovation and design: Using a budget from BIEA, competitors will buy, modify and fly small drones as proof of concept for their design. Teams are required to video flying according to requirements provided by BIEA.
Oral presentation: Competitors will video a presentation about their drone design.
Live International finals day including:
Mission execution: Flying new drones, competitors will tackle an obstacle course.
Evaluation: Competitors will deliver an evaluation about their project successes and challenges. They will also need to answer the questions raised by the judges.
Work display: Competitors will display their drone project to judges and peers.
Alpha Prep teams won 3 prizes for our age catergory including:
- Best Effort Award
- First Runner-up and the
- Best Drone Flying Award
The winners
The winners from Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The £5000 prize was won by three 17 year olds from an international school in Mostar, Bosnia. Their country was ripped apart by war and the effects still linger on in their city, with Serbs and Croats, Christians and Muslims, refusing to work together – so much so that the lads’ attempts to involve Serb and Croat schools in their research were rejected. These young men are so hungry for science and technology, and so desperate to make a difference in their country. They struggled to get the parts delivered for their drone, then one of them had his visa delayed and only a cross-country drive with his dad to the Embassy enabled him to make his first flight and his first visit to England. Parts of Bosnia are still riddled with mines, and their drone project was designed to find a safer way to to monitor wildlife and nature in dangerous areas. Their passion for STEM and their refusal to be put off by all the obstacles in their way were so impressive to the judges – and their joy at winning was wonderful. This is why STEM matters.- Mrs Still.
A Video about the Competition from CGTN (Click the photo to see the video)
An article from First News that we have been featured in
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Please see some photos and video links from the event below
BIEA and TTS have kindly donated £500 of STEM equipment to Early Years and KS1. Thank you BIEA and TTS
A hard challenge of flying a drone through the artifical jungle, taking pictures of as many animals as you can, whilst flying the drone, and getting to the finish line in time.
Team Sea Bale talking to Dr Shaun Fitzgerald! What an honour this is! (The director of the The Royal Institution)
(https://www.rigb.org/about/news/spring-2018/director-announcement)
Teams even flew in from EAST CHINA! Well done for making such an effort for this competition.
This Drone looks like it could even float!
Team Entry from India! What an amazing effort to travel so far. Well done Team IMAGINATORS!
Some amazing fact file SCIENCE boards. Well done TEAM Macau from China.
Team ISLAPS explaining their drone to the judges.
They made this drone using hand made parts and their own 3d Printed designs. Wow! Well done this team all the way from the USA!
TV interview wiht team Nerdology
Great tips given from a real life Drone Pilot.
Dr. Shaun Fitzgerald explaining why STEM is so important.
Team ISLAPPS winning BEST DRONE FLYING awards.
Dr Claudio Sillero – https://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-claudio-sillero
Dr Sillero talking about why it is so imporant to help Wildlife. What an amazing honour to listen to such great Scientists from around the world.
Team Seabale sharing their strengths and weaknesses to the judges. After this introduction they had a Q & A session with the judges. Well done Team Seabale.
Thank you BIEA!
Thank you for all the team members from BIEA and are thoughts are with the teams from around the world that were not able to get VISA’s or have enough money to join us for this special event.