A team of three students from New Middle East International School in Saudi Arabia were declared the Best in Middle East & North Africa.
Team members Prashanthini Sunder, Jhanavi Ramesh and Ranya Mohammed explored the production of a biologically friendly leather using apple cider vinegar and mother as an alternative to conventional Kombucha Leather.
The judges said: “This is an impressively presented and executed project exploring the production of a biologically friendly leather, with a view to replacing animal or petroleum as the leather source… This topical project is highly innovative with strong sustainability underpinning, and has a strong local relevance.”
Describing their experience, the students said:
“Being curious students trying to find our academic spark, we jumped at the opportunity to take part in this competition and enhance our abilities in scientific research. As we brainstormed for ideas and explored potential research topics, we ended up joining the pursuit of producing biodegradable leather.”
“This experience was one of a kind. It gave us confidence and motivated us to keep working towards sustainable development. It has taught us to be patient, the importance of teamwork, and most of all, it has taught us, that we as human beings, must take all the steps we possibly can to save our planet. The world is not ours alone, that we handle so rashly. It belongs just as much, to all the generations that are yet to come and they deserve a beautiful and healthy planet to call their home. We believe our research is a small stepping stone on this path to save our planet.”