16 Feb 2024
Cambridge International Education is pleased to announce that the 2023 ‘Best in World’ award for the prestigious Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition was shared between two schools. Judges found it hard to separate entries from students at Shine Ue School, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and from the Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy, Arizona, USA. Both teams demonstrated outstanding creative thinking, scientific skills and teamwork. Coincidentally, both chose projects to assess water quality to satisfy competition criteria that projects must have a sustainability theme.
In total, 270 school teams from around the world took part in the competition which helps develop learners’ passion for science through practical skills that complement their academic studies. Students aged between 14 and 16 years old, studying for Cambridge IGCSEs or Cambridge O Levels, worked in small teams to conduct their own scientific investigation as an extra-curricular activity.
Investigating water quality
Students from Shine Ue School tested whether the water quality of the local Selbe River, a source of drinking water, was affected by flooding. They used a biotic index (a measure of the range of microorganisms) to compare the quality of water samples before and after flooding and found that a higher index score in August compared with June and July indicated that floods have an adverse effect on the water quality of the river.
The team included Yalguun Ser-Od, Indranil Bazarragchaa, Munkh-Orgil Munkhjargal, Munkhkhusel Munkhtsog, Doljinsuren Uranmandakh, and Solongo Bayarbaatar.
Teacher, Tamir Surenjav, said: “Our students mastered various techniques throughout, making it an unforgettable experience. We are committed to extending our study to gather more precise data and explore how urban life influences water quality.”
Students at the Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy tested the ability of a seaweed extract (sodium alginate) to absorb copper (a heavy metal ion) from water as a low-cost, sustainable solution to producing cleaner water. “Water pollution is a pertinent issue across the globe,” the students wrote. “Heavy metals can leach into drinking water reservoirs from a variety of sources such as industrial manufacturing, mining, fertilizers, and pesticides, leading to non-potable water.” The seaweed extract, a natural polymer, absorbed all copper from low concentration solutions.
The team included Jessica Finnie, Ema Saliba and Liam McLaughlin. Liam said: “I know we're all interested in sustainability and that's a big issue in our world right now, using nonrenewable and unsustainable resources. We wanted to have something that deals with the environment and is a potential solution.”
Executive Director of the Academy, Mr Michael Twilling, said: “The school had so little to do with this – it was their initiative, their planning, their time and energy, their thought! The school simply supported the students with space and access to some of the materials. They have a passion for science and these three students are not waiting until they are out of school to change the world – they are starting now.”
Returning for the first time after Covid-19, the global competition ran in two separate phases – May and November – to ensure that schools in both hemispheres could participate without it affecting their exam periods. The five competition judges chose the Best in World from the Best in Region winners for both phases.
Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International Education at Cambridge, commented: “These innovative projects not only showcase students’ scientific prowess but also highlight their dedication and compassion to address real-world challenges in sustainability. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide an education that not only meets the short-term needs – achieving a place at higher education or securing a job – but also inspires learners to change the world for the better. Together with teachers, we are shaping the learners who will shape the world.”
In addition to the Best in World winners, the judges also recognised Spins Interactional School in Indonesia with a special sustainability award, and selected the following schools as regional and country winners:
Best in Region:
- South Asia: FirstSteps School, India and The British School, New Delhi, India
- North America: Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy, USA
- Pakistan: Cadet College Hasan Abdal and Bloomfield Hall School in Peshawar
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Willow International School, Mozambique
- Southeast Asia & Pacific (SEAP): Port Moresby International School, Papua New Guinea and Victoria International School in Malaysia
- East Asia: Shine Ue, Mongolia
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Jeel Yanbu International School, Saudi Arabia and New Middle East International School, Saudi Arabia
- Europe: Montessori School La Florida, Spain
Best in Country:
- Pristine Private School, Dubai
- Indonesia: SIS Kelapa Gading
- Kenya: Oshwal Academy Nairobi Junior High
- Thailand: Satit Bilingual School of Rangsit University
- Malaysia: Tanarata International Schools
For more information about the winning projects, go to the Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition pages.
