High School Students from Okinawa Challenge the World with “Dragon Fruit Freezing Technology”
On July 18, a send-off ceremony was held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) for students from Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Agricultural High School as they prepared to depart for Singapore to compete in the international science contest "Global Link Singapore." OIST President and CEO, Karin Markides, along with other attendees, provided advice and encouragement to the students.
The Winner of "SCORE! Science in Okinawa," Takes on the World
The team from Chubu Agricultural High School won the annual "SCORE! Science in Okinawa" competition organized by OIST for high school students in Okinawa. They earned a special prize: an invitation to participate in the "9th International Symposium for High School Students". At the competition held in Kagoshima Prefecture in February 2024, the team won the prestigious Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology Award.
Their next challenge was "Global Link Singapore," which took place on July 25, where they presented their science research projects in English and competed on the originality and feasibility of their projects against students from across Asia. Although they did not secure the top prize, the team’s innovative approach to dragon fruit preservation garnered significant interest from international audience, enriching their research experience and global perspectives.
Chubu Agricultural High School in Uruma City, Okinawa, has been a consistent participant in the "SCORE! Science in Okinawa" competition since its inaugural event in 2013, and after years of perseverance, they have finally achieved their well-deserved victory. The winning team, comprising of five third-year students—Hibiki Korogi, Sora Ahagon, Miyu Ishikawa, Koharu Iha, and Kanai Maeto—developed a "freezing preservation" technique to extend the shelf life of dragon fruit, addressing challenges faced by Okinawan farmers. Despite the high moisture content of dragon fruit, which typically makes it unsuitable for freezing, the team used scientific methods to create a freezing technique that preserves both the fruit’s taste and its long-term storage quality.
President Karin Markides sent the following message of encouragement to the students: "Not only have you pursued answers to complex challenges, but you have also continuously thought about how to turn them into sustainable solutions and make a difference for struggling farmers. Your passion is truly commendable. The world needs next-generation leaders like you who can transform society. I wish you a wonderful experience in Singapore."
The students actively sought advice from President Markides on presentation tips and compelling expression methods. President Markides emphasized the importance of presenting with confidence and enjoying the process of sharing their work.
Kanai Maeto expressed, "Our participation in this competition was made possible thanks to numerous connections and support. We are grateful for the encouragement from everyone, including the support from local farmers, the government, and the community. We are determined to present our research thoroughly while carrying their support with us. Please continue to support us."
About "SCORE! Science in Okinawa"
Since 2013, OIST has been organizing the annual "SCORE! Science in Okinawa: Research Skills for Entrepreneurship Science Fair" to advance hands-on science education for high school students in Okinawa and nurture an interest in entrepreneurship. This event offers a platform for Okinawan high school students to showcase their innovative research and develop crucial real-world skills.
