Le Xuan Rao, President of the Hanoi Federation of Science and Technology Associations and Head of the Organizing Committee, shared with Hanoimoi Newspaper exciting insights about the National Innovation Contest for Youth and Children in Hanoi in 2024.

What groundbreaking changes were made in this year's contest?

The jury evaluates the entries for the 20th National Contest for Youth and Children in Hanoi in 2024. Photo: Hanoimoi Newspaper

This year marks a significant milestone, as the Hanoi Federation of Science and Technology Associations is taking the lead in organizing the contest for the first time. We have partnered with various organizations to ensure that the event is conducted with scientific rigor, objectivity, and adherence to timelines.

As of May 31, the contest has received an impressive 571 projects in five categories, including learning tools (134 entries), software applications (92 entries), eco-friendly products (153 entries), household tools and children's toys (113 entries), and technical solutions for climate change and economic development (79 entries).

From this diverse pool, the organizing committee has selected 86 outstanding projects to receive awards, including one Special Award, five First Prizes, ten Second Prizes, 20 Third Prizes, and 50 Honorable Mentions.

The awards ceremony will take place in October and promises to be a celebration of innovation and creativity.

We have recruited a group of experienced professionals and scientists to be on the judging panel, and we have also established five expert panels. They will evaluate presentations and product prototypes to ensure a thorough and fair scoring. This streamlined approach not only saves time, but also enhances the quality of the judging process, and we're pleased to report that the value of the awards has increased significantly.

What are the outstanding features that define this year's projects and products?

Le Xuan Rao, President of the Hanoi Federation of Science and Technology Associations.

This year's competition features an impressive array of creative student projects in all five categories.

The entries are incredibly diverse and presented in a variety of formats, including models, video clips, software, websites, CDs, and USB drives. Many models are intricately designed, with a mix of static displays and dynamic creations incorporating electricity, controls, and sound effects, showing remarkable precision.

Outstanding projects include the "Synchronized Solar Laser Calendar" (first prize), the "Continuous Frying System for Fruits and Vegetables Using Liquid Column Pressure" (first prize), and the "Cu Chi Tunnels Model" (second prize). 

Other notable entries include "Independence Palace - A Special Historical Symbol of National Peace" (third prize), "The Symphony of Sand and Light" (third prize), and "I Love Hanoi" (third prize).

Most of the winning initiatives show how many scientific fields can be combined. For example, the "Robot for detecting and eliminating bacteria using high-performance biodegradable materials" (Special Prize) integrates computer science, chemistry, and biology. 

Other examples include "IoT-Integrated Multi-Sensor Automatic Irrigation System" (Second Prize) and "Applying IoT Technology to Monitor and Adjust the Environment for Raising Freshwater Turtles in Northern Vietnam" (Honorable Mention), which bring together agricultural science and technology.

Several projects address real-world problems, including the "Safety System for Children in Cars Using Image Recognition Technology and Air Quality Monitoring" (first prize) and the "Fire Location Alert and Evacuation Guidance System" (second prize).

With their use of technologies such as the Internet of Things, image recognition, robotics, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence, many of the entries, especially those in the Technical Solutions and Software categories, reflect the advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

Notable projects include "Collection of Devices for Monitoring School Regulations" (first prize) and "Using Lidar Technology to Create Robots for Rescue Operations in Mines or High-rise Fires" (second prize).

These exceptional projects will be nominated for the 20th National Innovation Contest for Youth and Children in 2024.

What innovative strategies will the organizing committee implement to significantly improve the quality and engagement of future competitions?

To enhance the quality of future competitions, we are committed to strengthening our collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Education and Training, and the Hanoi Youth Union.

In September, we will announce the rules for the 21st competition, giving entrants an additional six months to develop their ideas. 

We will be announcing the rules for the 21st edition of the competition in September, and with this early announcement, we are giving entrants an extra six months to develop their ideas.

In addition, we plan to increase our outreach efforts to communicate the results and importance of the competition, especially in districts with low student participation. We will also organize recognition events to honor individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the success of the contest.

Our overarching goal is to inspire a lifelong passion for learning and science, ensuring that students continually refine their projects. We aim to nurture initial creative ideas into strong innovative capabilities among the youth of Hanoi.

Thank you!