The ‘Sunken Cooking Jacket’ emerged as the judges’ pick in this year’s Young Scientist Kenya (YSK) National Science and Technology Exhibition.
Two students, 18-year-old Bradford Nyangiri and 17-year-old Felix Makori from Menyenya Secondary School in Nyamira County, were the overall winners of the 7th edition of YSK, with their innovation championing for climate change solutions.
“Our jiko uses combustion pellets and charcoal at a lower rate compared to traditional ones. It also features a scrubber to neutralise poisonous gases, reducing global warming. It has three cooking points, which saves time as you can boil water while cooking. Additionally, it’s designed to be safe for use in confined spaces without producing harmful fumes,” Felix said.
Bradford, a Form Four student and Felix, who is in Form Three, developed an interest in technology after meeting during forums at their school science club.
With guidance from teachers such as their chemistry and biology teacher, Mr Dennis Makori, the school science club has continued to spur development in innovative prototypes and research concepts amongst the students.
Early this year, the duo clinched second place in the best innovative project in the Energy and Transport segment and third overall position at the Kenya National Science and Engineering Fair (KSEF).
Mr Makori helped them develop the test prototype that recently became the winning innovation. It topped the 1,780 submissions of young innovators in the Biological and Ecological Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Chemical, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences categories, specifically in the Energy and Transport sector.
Bradford and Felix were rewarded with KES 50,000 each, a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) course scholarship from Strathmore University, a trip to Ireland to attend the BT Young Scientist & Technology Expo and mobile phones courtesy of Safaricom.
“Safaricom has been a partner with YSK since 2018, and our long-standing partnership reflects our commitment to supporting innovation that empowers society. We believe that technology should solve societal problems, and we see that alignment in YSK’s mission. This exhibition showcases how youth can use science to address real-world issues,” said Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer, Safaricom.
“The future looks very bright for us, and we hope to continue developing projects that address current issues, particularly in climate change,” Bradford said.
The Young Scientists Kenya Exhibition reveals the depth of creative talent inherent among the youth, which needs nurturing to industrialise economies.
Watch the video below to learn more about these budding innovators.
