Grade school and high school student-inventors from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba showcased their agri-inventions at the Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture session on agri-robotics organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) through its Partnerships Unit (PU) as part of the Center's Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation (#Y4AGRI) program on 21 October 2024.
Eight grade school and high school student-inventors from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba and their coaches pose with the SEARCA team led by Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center Director
In his opening message, Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center Director, explained that agriculture is a complex system that includes not only production but also harvesting, postharvest processing, and, ultimately, consumption.
Dr. Gregorio also underscored the transformative role of innovation and technology in modern agriculture.
"Agriculture is the culmination of human labor, nature, and technology," he remarked.
The session featured agri-robotics demonstrations by Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba student inventors, who won at the International Exhibition for Young Inventors (IEYI) 2024, held at the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. Through this session, the young inventors were given a platform to inspire their fellow youth and spark their interest in agriculture, particularly in technological innovation.
First to present was the team of Mr. Czyan Knox Arcibal, Ms. Isabelle Visico, and Ms. Francine Jaic Conde, who demonstrated the use of their invention, Circular Irrigation with Moisture Detection System (CIMDS). CIMDS is designed to automate the irrigation process through soil moisture level detection, reducing the need for manual labor while ensuring that crops are receiving the precise amount of water needed.
Circular Irrigation with Moisture Detection System (CIMDS) demonstration
Next to demonstrate were Mr. Gian Carlo de Guzman, Mr. Louise Andrei Garcia, and Mr. John Caleb Robles, the inventors of TempHydroponics. TempHydroponics monitors hydroponic plants' temperature and pH levels through an electrical conductivity sensor that detects nutrient deficiencies to maintain a balanced nutrient solution.
The TempHydroponics team answers questions from the audience
The final presentation was delivered by Mr. Daniel Eleazar Camangon and Ms. Anne Marie Jael, who invented the Leak and Overflow Detection Arduino System (LODS), which was designed to detect leaks and overflows, sending real-time alerts that allow immediate troubleshooting and prevent further damage.
Leak and Overflow Detection Arduino System (LODS) demonstration
Drawing from his experiences as a young scientist, Dr. Gregorio shared motivational messages and insights into improving the students' agri-inventions.
Dr. Gregorio shares encouraging words with the student inventors
Ninety-six grade school and high school students from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba, University of the Philippines Rural High School, Colegio De Los Baños, and Christian School International participated in the session.
To conclude the learning activity, the students were given a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) AgriMuseum and SEARCA Sky Garden.
Sowing Seeds aims to foster interest in agriculture among young Southeast Asians. The initiative emphasizes the potential of agriculture as a promising career and encourages young people to explore higher education options in this field. This session on agri-innovation anchored in the International Youth Day 2024 theme, "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development."