03 Feb 2025
Cambridge is pleased to announce that the 2024 ‘Best in World’ winner of the prestigious Cambridge Science Competition is a team from Anglo Singapore International School in Thailand.
The team—comprising ZiKe Huang, Tan Hiranwat, Jintaporn Seemunta, and Kunathorn Jesdaviriya—developed an atmospheric moisture condensation system to address water scarcity, a critical global challenge. Their innovative project harnessed water from the atmosphere using a refrigeration pump, cooling module, and collection surface. Once the system reached the air’s dew point, water condensed and was collected and air-purified to reduce contamination.
The water generated had a neutral pH level of 7, low salt concentration, and a mineral content comparable to distilled water with no detectable bacterial contamination. This led the team to conclude that atmospheric moisture condensation has potential for generating drinking water.
The judges were particularly impressed, with head Judge Charlie Pettit saying that the ‘best in World winner particularly stands out as a project that not only demonstrates a logical, professional, and rigorous approach to science, but also shows the way in which those scientists on the innovative edge of discovery can act collaboratively, with integrity and with empathy.’
Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International Education at Cambridge, highlighted the significance of the students’ achievements: “These projects exemplify how young minds can harness science to solve pressing challenges like sustainability. Cambridge remains committed to inspiring learners to shape the future and create a better world.”
Team member, Kunathorn Jesdaviriya (Ken), said: “Through this project, I realised the immense scale of water scarcity worldwide; ensuring access to clean water is a global sustainability challenge set by the United Nations. While our project may not immediately solve the problem, I am hopeful that one day, someone from our team will contribute to a lasting solution.”
Mr. Sajjath Ahmed, Teacher Mentor at Anglo Singapore International School, said: “Seeing the growth of these students as young scientists has been incredibly rewarding. They have become more confident, collaborative, and passionate, creating something truly impactful.”
The competition, which saw more teams enter than ever before (308), is aimed at students, aged 14 to 16, working in small teams to conduct independent scientific investigations as an extracurricular activity, complementing their Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge O Level studies. The aim of the competition is to foster a passion for science and equip students with the practical skills to address real-world issues.
Cambridge Science Competition
The global competition runs in two separate periods – May and November – to ensure that schools in both hemispheres could participate without it affecting their exam periods. The four competition judges chose the Best in World from the Best in Region winners for both phases.
In addition to the Best in World winners, the judges also recognised the following schools as regional and country winners, plus an Engineering and Sustainability winner, in the second period of the competition:
Engineering winner: Nahar International School, India
Sustainability winner: The Aga Khan School, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Best in Region:
- East Asia: Shine Ue School, Mongolia
- Southeast Asia & Pacific: Surabaya Cambridge School, Indonesia
- South Asia: CMS Cambridge Gomti Nagar Extension Lucknow, India
Best in Country:
- Indonesia: Singapore School Kelapa Gading
- India: Jayshree Periwal International school
- Malaysia: St. Joseph's Institution International School
For more information about the winning projects and find out how to enter the 2025 competition, go to the Cambridge Science Competition pages.