A TEAM of young innovators from Queen’s College, Guyana, has emerged victorious in the 2024-25 Young Environmental Scientists (YES) Competition, securing first place in the Secondary Category with an innovative project that promotes sustainable urban development.

The YES Competition, hosted by Macmillan Education Caribbean, aims to inspire young minds across the region to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This year’s contest saw strong participation from students in Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica, all showcasing groundbreaking ideas for a greener future.
The Queen’s College team, Environmental Guardians, won top honours for their lampshade model, designed to illuminate roads while minimising light pollution that affects bats and surrounding ecosystems. Their innovation stood out for its potential to support eco-friendly urban planning while addressing critical environmental concerns.

Other winners included TML Super Planters from TML Primary School, Trinidad & Tobago, who took first place in the Primary Category with a self-watering planter made from repurposed materials. In the Secondary Category, Ravens Builders from St. Jago High School, Jamaica, secured second place with a project exploring the use of recycled CDs and DVDs to generate solar energy.
Praising the students’ ingenuity, Dr. Aldrin E. Sweeney, a competition judge from Barbados, stated:

“I was quite impressed with the ingenuity and creativity of many of these projects. Several of the projects could well be extended into prototypes for serious consideration by various countries in the Caribbean.”
Now in its second year, the YES Competition continues to foster a culture of innovation and environmental awareness among Caribbean youth. Last year’s winners from Trinidad & Tobago set a high standard with their sustainable solutions, and this year’s entries have further reinforced the region’s potential for youth-driven environmental change.

Macmillan Education Caribbean will soon release a video showcase featuring highlights from the competition, including footage of the winning projects. The winning teams will also receive educational equipment for their schools and an interactive sustainability workshop to further their knowledge and passion for environmental conservation.

For updates on the Young Environmental Scientists Competition, visit www.macmillan-caribbean.com or follow Macmillan Education Caribbean on social media.