High School students compete in First Interschool “TECHOLYMPICS” Contest

Seeking to stimulate interest in science and technology through projects which demonstrate respect for society and the environment, Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología (UTEC) organized its 1st Inter-School "Techolympics" contest, aimed at junior and senior year high school students.Alberto Bejarano, Academic Director at UTEC, said: "The purpose and reason for being a business group that supports UTEC, is to seek the development of our country through innovative projects. This is why, with Techolympics, the university seeks to encourage high school age students who have a vocation for technology and engineering to develop their potential and creativity".The participating projects of this competition proposed practical solutions to environmental problems.  The winner of this first edition is the project entitled "Recycling with SANKY peelings" (from the cactus fruit or prickly pear) the objective of which is to build awareness on the consumption of natural products (with fruits and vegetables) and reusing the peelings to obtain new products.   "I enjoyed competing in this contest. We have been testing our project on a small scale at school selling vinegar to some homemakers and fruit jam to primary school classrooms, and now we are going to resume this initiative and take it to another level by selling our products in school concession stands", said Ivo Arcos, member of the winning team, a senior at the Carlos Lisson Beingolea High School in La Molina.Placing second was the project called "Green Architecture", which consists of a feasibility study on electric power generation derived from the waste water that comes from washing machines and sinks, etc. "The purpose of the project is to use solar energy to generate power for the waste water recycling process and generate savings for families. For example, people who live in buildings" said Miyanú Matallana, a senior at FAP José Quiñones Gonzalez High School (La Molina).Referring to the projects that entered the contest, Bejarano said that they are a true source of inspiration. "All the projects that entered the contest are initiatives attempting to develop real solutions to real problems. This competition demonstrates the ecological awareness held by a new generation of students". About the winning projects: First Place: Carlos Lisson Beingolea High School (La Molina)School Award: A commemorative plateTeacher Guide: Digital camera and a certificate of recognitionStudent Award: Ipad mini for each student and a certificate of recognitionProject: Recycling SANKY peelings (Corryocactus Brebistylus)Team Members: Senior year high school students (Ivo Arcos, Héctor Chávez, and Bruno Equizabal)Teacher Guide: Alejandro LlanosSecond Place:  FAP José Quiñones Gonzales High School (La Molina) School Award:  A commemorative plaqueAdvisory Teacher: Digital camera and a certificate of recognitionStudent Awards: Headphones for each studentProject: Green ArchitectureTeam Members: Senior high school students (César Quiñones, Jorge Alayo, and Miyanú Matallana)Teacher Guide: Blanca Pasco