Water Conservation Solutions From High School and University Teams Take Top Prize in 2024 Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge

Rhea-AI Summary

Xylem's 2024 Global Student Innovation Challenge saw teams from the Philippines and Algeria win grand prizes for their water conservation solutions. The challenge, part of Xylem's youth program Xylem Ignite, attracted over 4,400 students from 150 countries to tackle critical water issues.

The high school division winners, Team AGWE from the Philippines, developed an augmented reality tool for water conservation awareness. The university division winners, The Blue team from Algeria, created an immersive learning experience on water management topics.

Winning teams share a $20,000 prize pool and can join Xylem's Innovation Incubator for further project development. The challenge, now in its fourth year, has seen nearly sevenfold growth in student participation since 2021, highlighting increasing youth engagement in water sector innovation.

More Than 4,400 Student Innovators From 150 Countries Propose New Solutions to Water and Sustainability Threats

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global water technology leader Xylem (NYSE: XYL) today announced that teams from the Philippines and Algeria were the grand prize winners of its 2024 Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge. The annual program invites high school and university students worldwide to develop solutions to the world’s biggest water challenges.

More than 4,400 students from 150 countries participated in this year’s challenge, which asked young innovators to tackle three critical water problems: reducing ocean plastic waste, raising awareness about sustainability and water conservation, and lowering indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with enhanced water purification methods.

“As global water challenges escalate, it’s more important than ever to provide a platform for the next generation of innovators,” said Austin Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact at Xylem. “We’re thrilled with the water conservation solutions that this year’s challenge winners have proposed. The work of these and other young innovators will have a major impact on the water sector for years to come.”

This year’s grand prize winner in the high school division was “Team AGWE – God of Water: Be Empowered. Take Action.” The team, from the Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science in the Philippines, developed the concept for an experiential tool, which uses augmented reality to inspire action on water conservation.

The grand prize winner in the university division was “The Blue: Immersive Water Conservation Learning Experience.” The team, from the University of Boumerdes in Algeria, developed its idea for a dynamic and gamified learning experience focused on topics ranging from the benefits of rainwater capture to the importance of wastewater management.

Challenge participants were supported by volunteer mentors from Xylem, and nearly 260 teams worked on projects that were evaluated by judges from Xylem and global nonprofit organization EarthEcho International.

The winning teams, announced during a virtual awards ceremony on June 20, share a $20,000 prize pool and can join the Xylem Ignite Innovation Incubator to further develop their solutions. Participants in the incubator program will be paired with experienced water industry mentors from Xylem and receive grants to develop their projects further over a six-month period.

Now in its fourth year, the Global Student Innovation Challenge is part of Xylem Ignite, a global youth program designed to build a strong network of passionate student leaders and empower them to drive change in the water industry. Student participation in the program has grown nearly sevenfold since its inception in 2021, and the number of countries represented has tripled.

About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to solving the world’s critical water challenges with innovation and expertise. Our 23,000 diverse employees delivered combined pro forma revenue of $8.1 billion in 2023. We are creating a more sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and resource management and helping communities in more than 150 countries become water-secure. Join us at www.xylem.com and Let’s Solve Water.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240718654563/en/

Houston Spencer

+1 (914) 323-5723

Houston.Spencer@xylem.com

Source: Xylem Inc.

FAQ

Who won the 2024 Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge?

Teams from the Philippines (high school division) and Algeria (university division) won the grand prizes in the 2024 Xylem (XYL) Global Student Innovation Challenge.

How many students participated in the 2024 Xylem Innovation Challenge?

More than 4,400 students from 150 countries participated in the 2024 Xylem (XYL) Global Student Innovation Challenge.

What were the main topics addressed in the 2024 Xylem Student Challenge?

The 2024 Xylem (XYL) challenge focused on reducing ocean plastic waste, raising awareness about sustainability and water conservation, and lowering indirect greenhouse gas emissions with enhanced water purification methods.

What is the prize for winning the Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge?

The winning teams share a $20,000 prize pool and can join the Xylem (XYL) Ignite Innovation Incubator to further develop their solutions with industry mentors over a six-month period.

How has participation in the Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge grown since 2021?

Student participation in the Xylem (XYL) Global Student Innovation Challenge has grown nearly sevenfold since its inception in 2021, with the number of countries represented tripling.