TAKING the entrepreneurial world by storm, three Form Four science student teams from Han Chiang High School recently clinched the top three awards in the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (High School category), standing out with their innovative ideas and polished business plans.
Their outstanding performance is a triumph for the school and a beacon of inspiration for other young aspiring entrepreneurs.
With innovative ideas and strong presentations, these young achievers have demonstrated that science and business can go together, making a bold statement about the future of student entrepreneurship.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) 2024, jointly organised by the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) and the state Trade, Entrepreneurial Development and Rural Development Committee, returned this year for its fifth edition. It featured two categories – the High School category and the Open category. The YEC aims to foster youth interest in entrepreneurship and serves as a platform for them to showcase their innovative business ideas and creativity.
The champion team in the High School category, HCHS_Onward, led by Isabelle Wong Tsering, impressed judges with their ingenious solution – the ‘Automated Weatherproof Drying Rack’.
“When we first entered the competition, we were unsure what to create, but frequent rainy days sparked an idea.
“Shannel suggested a drying rack that could shield clothes from rain, providing a practical solution for consumers.
“We believe our project could offer great convenience.
“To demonstrate our design and its functionality, we built a prototype which is smaller in size,” Isabelle shared.
Teammate Shannel Ng Shi Hern, 16, further explained: “The drying rack has a rain sensor that activates a DC motor to extend a protective shade when it rains, and retracts it once the rain stops. That’s the central concept of our project.”
The other members of HCHS_Onward included Shawn Choo Shan Earn, Boo Chai Xuan, and Chin Sing Yu.
Their team earned the top prize of RM3,000 in the High School category at the YEC 2024.
Coming in second, HCHS_Aquafit presented an innovative smart water bottle, ‘Aquafit’, which features a built-in alert system with sound and vibration reminders to encourage regular hydration.
“The water bottle also includes a display panel indicating users’ daily hydration goals,” team leader Ang Jia Hui said.
Jia Hui shared that the idea emerged after observing that many of their classmates’ water bottles were still mostly full by midday.
“With this smart water bottle, we hope to encourage students to stay hydrated throughout the day,” she added.
Her teammate, Krishil Singh Bedi, explained that the Aquafit smart water bottle is also paired with an app, allowing users to enter their age and other personal details to calculate a more accurate daily hydration goal.
The other members of HCHS_Aquafit included Phang Xin Yuan, Harnisha Kaur Bedi, and Khaw Yu Sheng. The team took home RM2,000 in the High School category at the YEC 2024.
HCHS_Setup team leader Lim Qing Wei introduced the ‘SetUp DeskNomad Case’, which features adjustable compartments to store essentials like a laptop, mouse, keyboard, headphones, and more.
“This design allows users to stay organised and carry their items with ease,” Qing Wei explained.
HCHS_Setup, which included Choy Yi Khai, Lim Ming Yu, and Joshua Tan Tze Wey, bagged RM1,000 for winning third place.
Teacher advisers Chua Yong Xia and Emily Ramasamy expressed pride in their students’ achievements.
“One of our teams won the High School category in the YEC 2023, setting a benchmark for us to aim higher this year.
“We are thrilled that our teams claimed the top three prizes this time,” Emily shared.
Chua added that both students and teachers gained valuable experience and insights through the competition.
“As teachers, we have learned a lot from our interactions and discussions with our students.
“The YEC provides an excellent platform for participants to learn from successful entrepreneurs and deepen their understanding of business,” she said.
Han Chiang High School principal Kung Bee Lee expressed gratitude to the Penang government and PYDC for organising the YEC, highlighting the unique benefits it brings to students.
“This competition allows our students to apply what they have learned beyond classroom theory.
“They have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced entrepreneurs, gaining insights and practical knowledge that goes beyond textbooks,” Kung said.
She added that the real-world exposure provided by the YEC helps students develop essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
“We are extremely proud of their achievements and the valuable experience they gained through this competition,” Kung said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad