MARIYAH ZIA JANJUA, A STUDENT AT ST. JOSEPH’S SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CASTLEBAR, WON AN AWARD FOR A PROJECT ON SOLAR POWER IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CATEGORY OF THE GREEN DRAGON INNOVATION CHALLENGE, WHEN 25 FINALISTS COMPETED ON SATURDAY LAST FOR A TOP PRIZE OF €8,000.

THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY ARGI-AWARE, IS AIMED AT GIVING SECOND LEVEL STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN THE FOOD, FARMING AND ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY.

STUDENTS FROM ST. GERALD’S COLLEGE AND ST. JOSEPH’S SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CASTLEBAR, AND JESUS AND MARY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CROSSMOLINA WERE AMONGST THE 25 FINALISTS, WHO BROUGHT THEIR IDEAS BEFORE A FOUR-STRONG PANEL OF BUSINESS GURUS IN THE FINAL.

MARIYAH DEVISED AN APPLICATION THAT ENABLES SOLAR PANELS TO ADJUST THEIR ANGLE TOWARDS THE SUN, THUS MAXIMISING THEIR EFFIENCY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS.