Three students from SMK Chukai in Kemaman win Asia-Pacific 'Do Your: Bit' challenge

KEMAMAN (Bernama): Three students from SMK Chukai here were recently named champions of the Do Your: Bit Challenge competition for the Asia-Pacific region for their invention of a device to analyse the percentage of oxygen in forests.

SMK Chukai principal Tengku Shahrir Tengku Dahlan said the school is proud of the students' success because they had defeated 400 contestants from other Asia-Pacific countries.

"The students’ win was in the 15-18 age category, and we understand that this is the first time Malaysia has won in this competition.

"We hope this win will help motivate other students to always strive to do their best in order to benefit the country and society," he said when contacted Sunday (Oct 31).

Organised by the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, the competition, which was held online, aims to encourage young people to come up with innovations using the "micro:bit" with elements of coding.

A micro:bit is a peripheral device which can talk to a central device like a smart phone or tablet.

The three Form Four students who made history are Ahmad Nasharuddin Anua, Mifzal Haziq Mazelan and Muhammad Amiruddin Amar.

They received guidance from two teachers - Febing Ayu Marjohan and Irfah Hafizah Ahmad - as well as two mentors from TATI University College - Assoc Professor Dr Ruzlaini Ghoni and Dr Khairudin Ali.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Nasharuddin said his group, called Erfinder, invented the device to track oxygen levels during logging activities.

He said there were two devices, one placed in the forest and the other placed in an interconnected control room to send out oxygen readings periodically, thus facilitating monitoring.

"This device is cheaper, easier and more practical than the use of satellite images. Our innovation is a new mechanism to ensure the balance of the ecosystem and ensure a healthier life for humans and the environment.

"The invention will help efforts in controlling deforestation," he said, hoping to patent the device soon. - Bernama