Sci-Tech Challenge in Cyprus: Defining the Future through Science and Technology
Junior Achievement Cyprus and ExxonMobil Cyprus are pleased to announce the implementation of the Sci-Tech Challenge program for the fourth consecutive year. The programme is a collaboration between JA Europe and ExxonMobil which counts 14 years with the participation of more than 60,000 students from all over Europe.
Science and technology play a critical role in advancing our understanding of the world and creating new technologies that improve the quality of our lives. Without scientific research and technological innovation, we would not have many of the benefits we enjoy today, such as modern medicine, advanced communication tools, and efficient transportation systems. By studying science and technology, we can develop the knowledge and skills needed to create innovative solutions to complex problems.
The aims of the programme are to inspire students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses at higher education levels and to enable them to understand the wide variety of careers that can be pursued through STEM education while leveraging their talents. It is a fact that the number of students studying these subjects is decreasing both internationally and in Cyprus, while the projected number of jobs in the field is increasing.
The programme was implemented this year in 15 schools bringing the 400 students face to face with the real challenges facing the world and our environment. Volunteer mentors from ExxonMobil played a key role in the programme, as through classroom visits they served as role models for a career in the STEM field while introducing students to the main energy challenges.
Then, 14 student groups from the schools that took part in the programme with a total of 70 students participated in the National Sci-Tech Challenge Competition held on March 20, 2024 between the hours of 09:00 – 18:00 at the POED premises.
The winner was the team from the American Academy Larnaca, which will represent Cyprus in the European Competition of the Sci-Tech Challenge organized by ExxonMobil Europe and Junior Achievement Europe, and which will take place on April 23 – 25, 2024 in Brussels. Stylianos Panayi, Nadine Akar, Anna Pythara, Eleni Elia and Christina Symeou, with responsible professor Mr. Sergios Nicolaou, like their classmates in the other four European countries, were invited to develop a business idea that focuses on on making homes more sustainable and energy efficient.. The team introduced their ingenious net-zero hydrogen energy networking concept.
At second Place was Limassol Technical School C team consisting of Filip Josifovic, Nikolas Koumbaris, Elizabeth Papachristou, Emmanouil Georgiou, and Ioannis Kaili, responsible teacher: Mrs. Marilena Agathokleous. The team’s innovative plan is to convert electricity into green hydrogen, serving as both nighttime energy and vehicle fuel. The team will have the opportunity to have an educational visit at ExxonMobil Cyprus Premises.
Third place goes to The G C School of Careers team, consisting of Orestis Stylianides, Andreas Christou, Iolie Demetriou, Stefanos Constantinou, and Giorgos Papacharalambous, with Nicoleta Kokkoni-Sofokleous as their responsible teacher. Their proposal involves harnessing the power of solar paint and solar films to generate electricity for household use. As an award, the team will have the opportunity to have an educational visit at ExxonMobil Cyprus Premises.
For more information, you can visit www.jacyprus.org/sci-tech or contact info@jacyprus.org .
