The Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) has organised the annual competition since 2011 with the aim of encouraging young people to conduct research and apply their findings in practice.

“We focus on water conservation because a water crisis is imminent. It is important that we save and conserve water. We must seriously raise such awareness among youths too,” IPST chairman Assoc Prof Tatchai Sumitra said.

This year’s top prize went to a team from Suankularb Wittayalai Nonthaburi School, who created a Clean Fuel Energy Boat.

The invention dreamed up by the team of Piranat Meechai, Paramet Mahasakpitak and Napat Yodrak serves as a boat to dispose of waste floating on the water surface and to test water quality. Fitted with special equipment, it can automatically make visual recordings upon detecting any irregularity in water sources and send data to relevant officials. The smart boat uses only green energy, including solar power and hydro power.

The winning team will travel to Sweden, all expenses paid, to attend the Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2017 event in the capital.

The first runner-up in the contest was a team from Suratpittaya School –Chidchanok Inkaew, Pattadon Namwongwao and Kasidej Sukkwai – who worked together in developing an innovation for cultivating mangrove forests.

Their cone-shaped device significantly boosted the germination rate of mangrove seeds. The invention was awarded second prize because mangrove trees are key parts of mangrove forests, which protect water resources.

The second runner-up team hailed from Chachoengsao. Thirapat Tiangkool, Nopparat Phu-oun and Kobkiat Ounkaew from Phanom Sarakham Phanom Adulwittaya School developed a coconut-shell innovation to shield plants from direct exposure to the sun, reducing water usage at farms by more than half.