IT TAKES only a small pool of stagnant water for mosquito larvae to breed. And by the time they grow into adults, the problem is far harder to contain.
That thinking drove secondary school students Vashnie Ramesh Kumar, Sakthivelan Kumaraguru and Meenal Muthiah from SMK Vivekananda, Kuala Lumpur, to design a system that stops the problem at its source.
Competing as team Hogwarts, the trio emerged as champions of the Shell NXplorers Peninsular Malaysia challenge held on Oct 15.
They said the idea grew out of a Year 6 science fair project, a pot designed to repel mosquitoes.
“We started wondering, what if we could take that same idea, and make it more automatic, sustainable and smarter?” the team recalled.
The result is their creative solution, Smart BTI Bio-Sentinel, an automated dengue prevention system that detects stagnant water and monitors temperature using sensors connected to an Arduino UNO.
When conditions suit mosquito breeding, the system releases a BTI (biological mosquito larvicide) solution to help control larvae, while an LCD screen, buzzer and LED lights provide real-time alerts. It can also operate with minimal human intervention.
“What makes BTI Sentinel special is that it focuses on preventing the problem before it even starts. We target mosquitoes at their larval stage, before they grow into adult mosquitoes and become a bigger problem,” they said.
“We believe this is a more effective and safer way to manage mosquito populations and help create a healthier environment for our communities.”
But the students shared that ending up as champions was not without its challenges. They wrestled with wiring, debugging, Arduino code, compilation errors from missing libraries and sensor readings that needed adjusting.
“We had to balance our project with exams and other commitments, which was not always easy.
“However, we managed to push through these difficult times and overcome the challenges together, and also improved our understanding of electronics, programming and problem-solving.”
Each member also took something different from the journey. Sakthivelan said that he gained important hands-on skills in electronics and sensor integration.
“One of my most memorable experiences was successfully connecting the electronic components and getting them to work together as a system. Although I faced problems with the wiring, coding and sensor readings, troubleshooting each issue helped me understand how the components function,” he said.
Meanwhile, Meenal said she was able to build and refine her soft skills by taking part in the programme.
“I learned to speak confidently in front of people and not to run away from problems, but to solve them step by step,” she said.
Now, with their sights set on the national grand finals, Vashnie has some helpful words for other aspiring innovators.
“During our preparation for the state competition, we faced many challenges, but we chose to keep going, and that eventually led us here. Believe in what you created and give it your all.
“Even if you don’t succeed now, your hard work and persistence may lead you to success one day,” she said.
The students also said they hope to turn their project into a successful Malaysian brand one day.
From fish tank to flowerpot
While team Hogwarts stole the show for their invention, first runners-up team Hidronix from SMK Tengku Idris Shah in Selangor set its sights on tackling water waste.
The team, consisting of Thirumaghaal Magaswaran, Durka Kalidass and Tarunika Partheepan, created Auto Aqua Plant, a smart aquaponic system that waters plants using water from a fish tank.
A soil moisture sensor tells the system when to water a plant and switches the pump off once the soil is sufficiently wet. Excess water flows back into the fish tank, so it is reused rather than wasted. An accompanying app sends notifications via Telegram to notify users if the soil is wet or dry.
“We hope to encourage people to grow their own vegetables at home while using water efficiently,” said the team.
“This inspired us to make a system that combines technology, water conservation and sustainable plant care.”
Thirumaghaal shared that she learnt the true meaning of innovation during the competition.
“Innovation is not just about having a good idea, but also about being willing to learn, experiment and overcome challenges,” said the teenager, who now aspires to a career in engineering and technology.
Tarunika added that the programme taught them how to think about the “bigger picture”.
“This experience encouraged me to think beyond building a prototype and consider how an innovation could benefit households and the wider community,” she said.
And Durka encouraged other youth innovators to not get bogged down coming up with world-changing ideas.
“Start with a simple idea that can make a positive difference in people's lives. You do not need to create something perfect from the beginning. Be curious, listen to feedback and do not be afraid to think creatively,” she said.
Fostering next-gen innovators
The journeys of team Hogwarts and Hidronix are part of a larger story as part of Shell Malaysia’s push to raise awareness and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Shell NXplorers Peninsular Malaysia challenge brought together 213 participants from seven schools, namely SMK Vivekananda, SMK Bandar Sunway, SMJK Chong Hwa, SMK Orkid Desa, SMK Tengku Idris Shah, SMK Taman Seri Rampai and SMK Aminuddin Baki.
Apart from team Hogwarts and Hidronix, the Most Innovative Award was presented to team Sea Shell from SMJK Chong Hwa, Kuala Lumpur, for their Smart Fridge System.
The system tracks food stored in a refrigerator and updates users through a mobile app, making it easier to keep track of food, prevent spoilage and reduce unnecessary food waste.
Shell Malaysia shallow water and deep-water portfolio general manager Jill Chieng said that at its core, Shell NXplorers is a global education programme that enables students to address real-world challenges through critical thinking.
“Tomorrow’s breakthroughs will come from the young minds we inspire today. As the world navigates increasingly complex food, water and energy challenges, it is critical to equip young people with the skills, confidence and mindset to think differently and innovate,” she said.
“By nurturing curiosity, creativity and systems thinking, we are helping develop the next generation of leaders who will shape a more sustainable future.”
The judges for the Peninsular Malaysia challenge were Chieng, the Education Ministry’s educational technology and resources department principal assistant director Prakash Nakaraj Thiagarajoo and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation digital talent and entrepreneurship senior manager Dayana Safian.
Supported by the Education Ministry, Shell NXplorers Malaysia has engaged over 600 students from 29 schools nationwide, while extending its impact to around 1,000 students through peer-to-peer learning.
For more information on Shell NXplorers Malaysia, click here.
