Global water technology company Xylem is calling on students worldwide to join its mission of solving water challenges by signing up to the 2023 Global Student Innovation Challenge. The initiative invites high school and university students between the ages of 13 and 25 to compete for prizes by developing innovative solutions to the world's top water challenges. The registration deadline for this year’s challenge is March 1.
“From devastating storms and floods to droughts and pollutants, local communities and economies everywhere are feeling the impacts of escalating water challenges,” said Patrick Decker, President and Chief Executive Officer at Xylem. “By engaging students and fostering innovation, we have the power to turn the tide on the global water crisis. Our Student Innovation Challenge is an opportunity to bring together the brightest young minds from around the world and tap into their shared passion for innovation to help us shape a brighter future.”
Under the initiative, which is part of Xylem’s global youth program Xylem Ignite, students and their teams can win cash prizes for their project while receiving support from leading water sector experts. Students compete in either high school or university categories, with $5,000 awarded to the top project in each.
The deadline for project submissions is April 22, and the winners will be announced later this summer
The 2023 challenges are focused on: The Water Impact of Green Hydrogen Production, Awareness to Action, Waterways Pollution Prevention Using Data Science, and Water-Energy-Emissions Nexus in Buildings. The deadline for project submissions is April 22, and the winners will be announced later this summer.
Last year, more than 800 high school and university students from more than 50 countries participated. Team SWiFT from Santa Clara, California, was awarded the 2022 grand prize in the high school category for their project to improve the life span of hand-powered water pumps which are commonly used to access water in rural communities.
Team AquaFlo from Canada won the 2022 grand prize in the university category for their design of two technical solutions to notify users when a water hand pump is out of service. Their concepts included a mobile app and an automated message service system.
“The students that have come through the Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge are some of the best and brightest,” said Austin Alexander, Vice President, Sustainability and Social Impact at Xylem. “Their ideas have the potential to transform the impact of water on our society. We’re privileged to be able to nurture and encourage their talent so that future generations can benefit from their innovative thinking and ideas.”
