MENGGATAL: Never underestimate the abilities of rural schools. Unlike in previous competitions, SMK Tenghilan, a rural school, sprang a surprise in the just-concluded 10th Sindex (Sabah Invention and Design Exhibition) by beating city schools to emerge as Sindex Overall Winner 2016 and to clinch the Best Presentation prize.The winning trio, Group Leader Cerolintina Soimin, 17, Florrenna Elip, 17, and Hezron Aideno, 17, of the Form Five Class (Vocational Education Stream) received a trophy and RM500 cash from the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau at the 10th Sindex Awards Night on Saturday.
The team's invention dubbed "Easy Tugal" (Easy Dibbler) won the hearts of the judges at the finals which entailed one-minute video presentation and two-minute oral presentation.
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Another team from the same school bagged the Best Presentation prize (RM200 and trophy) for its Palm Fronds (PF) Multi-Product Invention, thus sweeping two of the top four prizes in the contest.
The Rotarians' Choice Award (RM200 and trophy) went to Maktab Sabah with its "Soniceye" entry, an invention to facilitate the mobility of blind persons, while SM St Michael, Penampang walked away with the Best Exhibition prize (RM200 and trophy) for its "Colour Petals" invention whereby it is an eco-friendly water colour that is made from biological pigments extracted from flowers.
The four winning teams were among the top one to 10 gold medallists (shortlisted from 20 semi-finalists), the others being Kolej Vokesyenal Keningau (Tiles Installer), SMK Limbanak (Anti-Ant Gel), SM Tshung Tsin (Climaxcool), Kolej Vokesyenal Keningau (Grip Battery Charger), SM St Michael, Penampang (2 in 1 Pitcher) and SM St Michael, Penampang (2 in 1 Supply Companion).
The top 11 to 20 (who did not make it to the finals) were rated as silver medallists, namely KK High School (Multi Hook), SMK Tenghilan (D'mon 21), SM Tshung Tsin (Bambae), SM Tshung Tsin (Spectalistic), SM St Michael (Simple Slide Peg), SMK Tenghilan (Watering Bottle), SMK Kundasang (Multifunction Whiteboard Cleaner), SMK St John (Phone Speaker), SMK St John (Kind Heart Tag) and SM Sanzac (Brush Slippers).
Altogether 152 entries were received from various secondary schools, involving about 600 students, and shortlisted to 20 semi-finalists and then 10 finalists.
A three-member judging panel, comprising Chief Judge Prof Tam Hwa Yaw, a Sabahan inventor now based in Hong Kong, Frankie Fu (Past President of Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu) and Datuk Margaret Fung (Past President of Rotary Club of Tanjung Aru), was impressed with the entries submitted by the various schools.
The judges were looking at aspects of originality, creativity and practicability when carrying out their task.
"At their secondary school level, the standard is good. I also look at the process. Is there a need for the invention?
Are you inventing something for yourself or the benefit of the community at large? There are new ideas on how to help the community though some of these may not necessarily be the best ideas," said Prof Tam who is Chair Professor of Photonics at the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Director of the Photonic Research Centre at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
He is also the third prize-winner of the prestigious Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis 2014 for his Laser Sensing Network for Railway Monitoring.
Prof Tam was impressed with at least three inventions – Easy Dibbler, Colour Petals and Anti-Ant Gel.
"The dibbler (named Easy Tugal) is simple but very useful. The idea is quite original. Obviously, there is a need for it.
The students extract colour from the petals of flowers. It's not toxic. The presentation is very good…the way they package it is very nice. Likewise, the gel is a simple but good idea. Cucumber is mixed with mint to become gel which functions as an anti-ant get. You can spray it on the kitchen table, for example," he shared.
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