Stockholm Junior Water Prize | Switzerland 2023

Karim Malik and Frederick Steinmann winners of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize – Switzerland 2023, have had a year full of challenges and excitement. 

The two talented students from the International School of Zug and Luzern, in Hünenberg, constructed a novel, fully modular, and uniquely affordable IoT-Aquaponics Control Unit which has been tested for real-world use. They incorporated open-source software and low-cost microcontrollers to create a functional node at 10% of the cost of comparable options in the market, making an important contribution to the field of food security. Karim and Frederick’s project was awarded the Junior Water Prize on last 22nd of April in St. Gallen, during the finals of the National Science Contest Schweizer Jugend forscht and won the right to represent Switzerland at the international contest Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) in August.

Before travelling to Stockholm, the Swiss finalists customized their scientific paper to the requirements of the contest and received coaching from Swiss water experts in a hybrid event organized by Skat Foundation, long-time supporters of the prize. On 21st August, Karim Malik & Frederick Steinmann showcased their project to the SJWP international jury. In three interviews scheduled throughout the day, the Swiss finalists presented their innovative project and answered questions from 6 water experts with different fields of expertise, giving Karim & Frederick the opportunity to demonstrate the relevance, applicability and growth potential of their idea. With great presentation skills and a high level of technical knowledge, they delivered convincing answers to all questions that the jury formulated.

Find out more about Frederick & Karim´s project here (make sure to accept cookies to see the video)

Since the SJWP finals are carried out in the frame of the Stockholm World Water Week, in between interviews Karim & Frederick exchanged with further experts attending the conference who were highly impressed by the Swiss finalists’ skills and passion for using IT and electronics to solve water challenges. Excellent opportunities to further develop their project and to advance their carriers resulted from these exchanges.

Frederick Steinmann and Karim Malik did a great job representing Switzerland at the SJWP 2023. Besides the hard work and the project defence, the prize offers all finals a multifaceted experience where they get to know some of Stockholm’s historical buildings, participate in study tours to state-of-the-art facilities in water technology, and spend six days bonding with like-minded youth from all around the globe. The Award Ceremony with the presence of HRH Crown Princess Victoria and the Royal Banquet with the presence of HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden made this a unique and unforgettable experience for the 45 finalists.  

In this journey, the Swiss finalists Karim & Frederick are accompanied by the Swiss Water Partnership and the Swiss Toilet Organisation, with the kind support of the Skat Foundation, the Stadt Zug, Xylem Europe, and seecon.