Innovation from Young Scientists to Tackle Beach Plastic Waste from Science Competition

With lockdown rules relaxing and temperature soaring, people have headed to beaches and rivers to relax. However, the aftermath of their visits has been highlighted in the news -- littering of single-use plastic bottles and bags adding to the huge environmental problem we have.

Picking up plastic waste from beaches is a major challenge around the world. Young innovators from the world have proposed solutions in the 2020 BIEA International STEM competition to 'Save Our Shores from Plastic Pollution'.

The annual competition is organised by the British International Education Association. This week, 36 finalists teams aged 9-17 from 14 countries (US, UK, Bosnia, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria, Philippines, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, UAE, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Hong Kong) are showcasing their designs and prototypes to an international judging panel.

Despite the chaos caused by COVID-19 to their education, the teams made the effort to continue with their project remotely. Their designs involved the application of artificial intelligence to identify and sort plastic waste, and automated robotic mechanisms to collect the plastics.

The judges were very impressed by the quality of the submission, Chris Coode, Deputy CEO of Thames 21 said, 'The teams I met were full of inspiring young people with great ideas on how to tackle the global problem of plastic waste.'

David Hanson, BIEA STEM Chairman, said: "In the current turmoil that we are experiencing in the world, and as a response to ecological, social, demographic and economic challenges, we must look at STEM education as a tool to understand and collectively shape the society we live in."

It's hoped that some of the designs will be made into real working machines to help the fight against plastic pollution.

The winners will be announced on 1st July, just before the International Plastic Bag Free Day (3rd July).

Media packs are available -- (rights-cleared) Photo, Videos and Design reports, example team submissions:
https://youtu.be/IUwC91MiMuM -- amazing robot design from Azerbaijan
https://youtu.be/HBziQFoPLXU -- London team
https://youtu.be/3aic77LQvMw -- very beautiful drawings/video production
https://youtu.be/mfvM7K2Sk84 -- UK all-girls team

Interview opportunities:
> Girls in STEM (Dr Alex Holmes from BIEA)
> STEM International Education (David Hanson, STEM Chairman of BIEA)
> Plastic pollution in waterways (Chris Coode, Thames21 Charity)

For information about the British International Education Association and the STEM competition, visit: www.bieacompetition.org.uk

Follow us on Facebook/Twitter: @BIEAeducation

The British International Education Association
The Granville,
140 Carlton Vale
London NW6 5HE

Press coordinator: Helen Hu
Email: hhu@biea.org.uk
Tel: +447766554217

The British International Education Association (BIEA) is a not-for-profit organization with head office in London. Our mission is to promote British education to emerging international education markets, primarily in China and UAE, but also in other countries.

We run quality assurance schemes in the early years and STEM education to help nurseries, schools to build confidence in their education provision.

BIEA is committed to build a platform for knowledge exchange between the UK and other national education services, through direct interaction between policymakers and education professionals.