Thai whiz kids’ inventions win gold in South Korea olympiad

[webfact]

Thai whiz kids’ inventions win gold in South Korea olympiad

By THE NATION

 

Thai students demonstrate how to use their invention, the so-called “Smart Wheelchair”, at the 2017 Korea International Youth Olympiad 41 in South Korea last month. The innovation won a gold medal at the event.

 

THAI WHIZ kids from the Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Primary School have won several awards in an international contest in South Korea.
 

Held under the theme of inventions for the physically challenged in mid-August, the International Youth Olympiad 41 attracted entries from children coming from 12 nations. 

 

Young Thai students from the local primary school shone brightly in the competition. 

 

 

Take Nattapat Subsompon, a Prathom 5 student, for example. He received not just a gold medal in the contest, but also the Special Award: The Best of Best Invention from the World Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs Association.

 

“I was inspired to develop a door opener for wheelchair users after seeing how my elderly grandma has difficulty opening a door from her wheelchair,” he said. 

 

He added that this tool was especially designed to make daily life more comfortable for wheelchair users.

 

“It can open various kinds of doors, including a sliding door,” Nattapat said. 

 

He is a member of the Satit Chula Innovation Hub, which has honed many young talents. 

 

Jeerasak Jirotjanaruk, the advisor for these talented students, said the innovation hub had helped primary students enter contests for three consecutive years. 

 

“To date, our primary students can create 19 innovations, some by individuals and some by teams,” he said. 

The other gold medal for the Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Primary School came from the team of Nattayadanai Pintanont, Pannatorn Pinijwongwittaya, Naruchon Chinnawattanakul and Jeerateep Kosawisut, who invented a “smart” wheelchair. A pair of silver medals were awarded to two other teams for inventing a “smart” walking stick and a cognitive development tool. 

 

A bronze also went to a team that created a high-tech cane for the blind. 

 

Jeerasak said the latest contest in South Korea was based on a good theme, because it encouraged children to learn more about people living in their society, have sympathy and understanding for the physically challenged, and come up with thoughtful ways to extend help. 

 

“I hope there will be many more forums for primary students to demonstrate their abilities. I have found that primary students have useful ideas for society,” he said. 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30325659

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-09-04

[Classic Ray]

Looks good for the press. But try and use a wheelchair or pushchair in any Thai city and be prepared to be defeated by lack of ramps and lifts, stairs with no alternative access, broken and obstructed pavements, motorcycles on pavements, and lack of precedence on crossings.

 

Once these things are sorted out, maybe Thailand can start crowing about inventions.

[BangkokReady]

"The other gold medal for the Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Primary School came from the team of Nattayadanai Pintanont, Pannatorn Pinijwongwittaya, Naruchon Chinnawattanakul and Jeerateep Kosawisut, who invented a “smart” wheelchair"

 

I know they're only kids, but saying "put GPS and a button to call the hospital" is not really an innovation, let alone an invention. GPS would hardly ever be used and panic buttons already exist, as do elevating wheelchairs.

 

I feel kind of foolish as when I first read the title I was pleasantly surprised since Thais seem so often to only be able to copy. The reality disappoints me. It's so sad that they have an actual event where all there is are things that have already been invented passed off as innovation.

 

Why not really push the boundaries of science and invent cars or TV?

[Bluespunk]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

“I was inspired to develop a door opener for wheelchair users after seeing how my elderly grandma has difficulty opening a door from her wheelchair,” he said. 

How does this work then?

[mekongsailor]

7 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

I know they're only kids, but saying "put GPS and a button to call the hospital" is not really an innovation, let alone an invention

Today, most "new" innovations/inventions exist of putting together "old" innovations/inventions in a new way.

Example: the invention of the electric car. It's jus a mix of old technologies ( electric motor 1834 and a car battery). And hey, these are just kids. Let them have some fun with their science projects. Better than running around as a thug with a large machete... Just my  2 satang....

[mike324]

21 hours ago, mekongsailor said:

Today, most "new" innovations/inventions exist of putting together "old" innovations/inventions in a new way.

Example: the invention of the electric car. It's jus a mix of old technologies ( electric motor 1834 and a car battery). And hey, these are just kids. Let them have some fun with their science projects. Better than running around as a thug with a large machete... Just my  2 satang....

I agree, they are just kids and may not know all the technologies that are already out there. Whats more important is that kids are already thinking of helping others and solve problems they see in everyday lives.