Students propose solutions to reduce the plastic use and promote the sustainability of the environment

Europe needs more people who can tackle challenges – people with the right knowledge, skills and attitudes, able to turn their ideas into actions to improve communities and societies. In other words, people with an entrepreneurial spirit and mind. We need such citizens to deal with the climate crisis and at the same time help in the recovery after the pandemic.

In this context, the Finals and the Award Ceremony of the mind Reset 2022 programme of the non-profit organization Junior Achievement Cyprus was held with great success, on February 15, 2022. The event took place at POED premises in the presence of the Minister of Education Mr. Prodromos Prodromos.

The Mind REset is a fun and interactive programme, which offers a series of 5 courses to students of 5th and 6th grade of Primary School and 1st and 2nd grade of Gymnasium. The modules of the programme aim to bring students into contact with the field of environmental entrepreneurship and to help them develop skills that will contribute to the protection and sustainability of the environment.

Students asked to identify the consequences of using plastic in our lives and to suggest practical and sustainable solutions that contribute to the protection and preservation of the environment. At the same time, they introduced to the very interesting field of entrepreneurship develop and promote their own products and services. Students move from the idea stage to the design and implementation.

The programme involved 87 schools from all over Cyprus, including 63 primary and 24 secondary schools from 190 different classes (145 in primary and 45 in secondary schools). The total number of students taking part was 3,612 which included 2,719 primary students and 893 secondary school students with the support of more than 200 teachers.

For the final selection of the teams, the judges evaluated the quality of the presentation of their business idea, the quality of the exhibits and the booth and the quality of the presentation on stage and the answers given.

The two teams who were awarded Mind Resetters of the Year 2022 and won an educational entrepreneurship experience in Greece, are from the Ayios Athanasios B Primary School the “EAT THE BOX” team and from the Engomi High School the “ECO CLIP” team.

The company EAT THE BOX, produces edible dough boxes, the zy-mart boxes. These replace disposable plastic food containers, helping to reduce plastic. After consuming their contents, we can eat the boxes themselves, or leave them as “garbage” for the Earth to “eat” them without danger.

The product “Ecoclip” is a handmade airtight bag closing clip, 100% ecological. It is made of wood and is mainly used to seal opened food bags, keeping the contents fresh for longer. It stands out from other commercially available clips as it is handmade, with an original yet clever design.

The two second places were won by the “PwP” teams from Astromeritis Primary School, where their idea was to create biodegradable pots for small plants. Their materials were simple: planting soil, seeds, newspaper, toilet paper rolls, paints and rope. “HEY HAY” from Olympion High School proposed an alternative solution involving the creation of “eco-friendly” plastic.

 

The two third places were awarded to the “WorldREstart” team from the Limassol Primary School IX where the company will give incentives to families to collect plastic waste from the environment (parks, beaches, fields, etc.). The incentives are discounts from shops and gifts from companies. For the high school, the third place was won by the “Spare Pen” team of the Nicosia-Malounta Regional Secondary School, where they propose a new wooden eco-friendly pen for use by all ages to reduce plastic and save money.

The second and third place winners won prizes offered by our strategic partner Lidl Cyprus.

Many congratulations to the other finalist teams which emerged from 74 teams all over Cyprus! Green Innovators from the 2nd Elementary School of Trachoni, Stic Solar from the Primary School of Mazotos, Wolfpack from the 2nd Regional High School of Nicosia-Malounda and Πλαστικό Απελέκητο from the High School of Stavros.

The Jury Committee was consisted of the Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement of Cyprus, Mr. Andreas Papadopoulos, the Commissioner for the Environment Mrs. Klelia Vassiliou, the General Manager of Lidl Cyprus, Mr. Spyros Kondylis, the Director of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Mr.  Christos Fotiadis, the Director of Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education, Mr.  Kyprianos Louis and the Inspector of Primary Education, Mrs. Androula Siimitra.

The passion, the ideas and the will of the students from all 74 teams  that worked for the programme is admirable, sending a hopeful message for the future to entrepreneurship and environmental awareness.

The program was implemented in collaboration with Lidl Cyprus and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth.

Junior Achievement Cyprus is a member of the global Non-Profit Organization JA Worldwide and specializes in the fields of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness. More information can be found at www.jacyprus.org  or by contacting the staff of the Organization at 97-715909.