BINUS SCHOOL Simprug’s Young Innovator, Anindita, Wins Gold at Prestigious I2ASPO for Eatable Waste Solution
The problem of food waste in Indonesia has been attracting global attention, with the total of food waste reaching 20,93 tonnes annually, raising concerns for the future of our nation. At BINUS SCHOOL Simprug, we raised awareness about global issues, including food waste.
This awareness among our community was reflected remarkably through the participation of Bernadette Anindita from the Grade 11 class of 2026 in I2ASPO. She tackled the food waste issue with innovative solutions through her project, “Utilization of Pumpkin Skin Waste as the Main Ingredient for Making Healthy Ice Cream and Efforts in Reducing Environmental Pollution to Realize SDGs 2030”.
Her dedication and ingenuity led to her impactful achievement as a Gold Medalist in the prestigious competition.
A Broad Review of I2ASPO
Indonesia International Applied Science Project Olympiad (I2ASPO) is a well-respected applied science olympiad organized through a collaboration between the Indonesian Young Scientist Association (IYSA) with the Faculty of Data Science and Analytics of (FSAD) Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November.
They recognized the urgency to find innovative and impactful solutions to global issues that arose. In that regard, they invite young generations, from elementary school to university level, to contribute to research and present innovative, applicable solutions that will directly benefit society while tackling global problems. The subjects cover computers, environment, science, and technology.
Furthermore, the I2ASPO also aims to stimulate students’ sensibility of the surrounding environmental problems.
Since its inception in 2020, this prestigious competition has seen increasing participation, with the 2024 batch attracting 559 teams from 15 countries, including Indonesia, India, and Thailand.
Anindita’s Winning Project
As one of the talented BINUSIANS, Anindita saw that organic waste was a major issue, especially in Indonesia. This problem occurred due to bad food waste planning and management systems.
Addressing this matter requires time, yet the risk, ranging from increasing greenhouse gas emissions to exacerbating poverty and hunger, continues to grow.
The UN SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 12.3 targets to reduce food waste to half per capita globally in 2030 through the production-to-distribution phase and at both consumer and retail levels. This objective pronounced a serious urgency of food waste management to tackle climate change, environment preservation, and society’s well-being.
Anindita approached this issue by exploring the potential of pumpkin skin, which is usually discarded and considered an inedible part of the pumpkin. Through this initiative, she transformed pumpkin skin into the key ingredient to make a healthy and delicious ice cream as a sustainable solution to food waste management.
In essence, Anindita stated that she wanted to focus on managing the organic waste problem in the environment with sustainable solutions to materialize SDG 2030.
On a separate note, her innovation aligns with the circular economy effort, offering favorable benefits for individuals, small businesses, and retailers.
The Significance of the Award
Winning the Gold Medal at I2ASPO marked an inspiring milestone in Anindita’s academic journey. It goes far beyond defeating her competitors; rather, it’s about finding and proving a comprehensive and applicable solution that potentially helps benefit societal problems.
Anindita explained that the process enabled her to build perseverance and critical thinking. This olympiad also extended her research and problem-solving skills, which were aligned with the IB learner attributes of being an inquirer, thinker, and risk-taker.
She also expressed deep gratitude for the immense encouragement and support from her parents, mentors, and the community at BINUS SCHOOL Simprug.
For her, all of it has been pivotal assets to do exhaustive research and findings and continuously carry out her role as a young scientist and innovator.
Empowering Youth Innovation with BINUS SCHOOL Simprug
This impressive triumph at I2ASPO that our pride BINUSIAN, Anindita, earned is a powerful reminder that innovative solutions start with awareness, followed by dedication and community support. Often, a groundbreaking inspiration stems from a simple observation of something typical around us.
Her journey also solidified what our school believes: fostering comprehensive youth empowerment is crucial in shaping the nation’s future. Let your children’s academic journey with BINUS SCHOOL Simprug pave the way toward a promising, innovative future.
