Lao school team wins bronze at US engineering competition

A team of students from a Lao school has won a bronze medal in the Senior Engineering competition at the International Sustainable World Energy Engineering and Environment Project (I-SWEEEP 2010) in America.

Competing for Eastern Star Bilingual School in Vientiane, grade 9 students Miss Phetsalinh Mounivong, 15, Miss Sakiko Harimoto, 15, Miss Phatsany Meunphilom, 15, and Mr Nunthakoun Nisavathvongsa, 14, attended the competition from April 14 to 19 in Houston, Texas, to present their invention titled ‘Insect Saviour Shoes'.

The shoes are fitted with a battery powered sound device that repels insects so they don't get stepped on, as well as warning the wearer of the presence of insects.

The team expressed their excitement at being awarded a prize on their first visit to such an event, and against such wide and strong competition.

The students spent about six months preparing their project before attending the competition. “It was a long, hard time for us under the guidance of our teachers to research and invent the insect saviour shoes, which aim to protect the environment,” said Miss Phatsany.

“We received this prize thanks to strong encouragement from our teachers and parents who always supported us during our preparations and at the competition,” Mr Nunthakoun said.

The team added that they had learned a lot from the competition, a special experience that they wanted to share with their fellow students.

“We were very proud of all the students and teachers whose efforts paved the way for this success,” said the school's Primary and Secondary Section Manager, Mr Cuma Ali Efeyik.

He noted that students of the school had won prizes in previous competitions both domestically and overseas, but winning the medal in America was a particularly meaningful event for the school and its pupils.

“This is an important step to building the reputation of Laos, not only for the country but also for the students, school and families,” he said.

The I-SWEEEP project is open to middle and high school students, and teams can enter their inventions in the categories of energy, engineering, and environment to compete for scholarship opportunities and prizes.

The project is organised by the Cosmos Foundation, a non-profit educational organisation in Houston with a mission to establish college preparatory schools focusing on mathematics, science, engineering, and computer technology in an effort to provide world-class education.

The Lao team competed against more than 1,000 young scientists from over 43 US states and 70 countries to win the medal.

By Phetsamone Chandala