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L'Oreal camp makes science fun
SCIENCE WINNERS: SMA 71 Jakarta students (from left) Anisha Goeslina, Nanda Nur Alifiani and Ade Maya pose for a photograph with the trophies and certificates they received as the 1st place winning team of this year's L'Oreal Girls Science Camp from April 23-24 in Bogor, West Java
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SCIENCE WINNERS: SMA 71 Jakarta students (from left) Anisha Goeslina, Nanda Nur Alifiani and Ade Maya pose for a photograph with the trophies and certificates they received as the 1st place winning team of this year's L'Oreal Girls Science Camp from April 23-24 in Bogor, West Java. (JP/Kurniawan Hari)Ade Maya, Anisha Goeslina and Nanda Nur Alifiani just did not believe it when Jean Christophe Letellier, president director of PT L'Oreal Indonesia, announced on Thursday that their team won the science competition organized by the France-based cosmetics and skin care company.
The announcement concluded the two-day science competition, L'Oreal Girls Science Camp 2008, which took place from April 23-24 at Pasirmukti Garden in Citeureup of Bogor, West Java.
The three girls, who attend SMA 71-Jakarta senior high school, said they had only expected to place among the best four at the annual competition, not win first place.
"We don't believe it. But we are very happy. We think our fellow students from other schools were better prepared," said Ade, who acted as the team's spokesperson.
For the competition, the team submitted a research paper titled "Membawa Bekal Menghemat Energi" (Bring lunch, save energy), which urged students to reduce plastic waste such as plastic cups, straws and bowls used by the school cafeteria by bringing their own lunches to school in a reusable container.
"Instead of buying food and drink from a cafeteria or a roadside food stall, students should bring their own lunchbox. By doing this, they will help reduce plastic waste," said Ade, a grade 10 student.
The SMA 71 Jakarta team defeated 15 other teams from schools in Greater Jakarta and Yogyakarta that had also submitted research papers, which were selected from a total 100 proposals received this year.
Some of the more innovative papers included: Coconut Oil as an Alternative Bio-diesel, Use of Vegetable Waste as Bio-ethanol, Temperature-Controlled Stove and Hanging Planters as a Substitute for Air Conditioning.
"Since 2005, when we first organized the L'Oreal Girls Science Camp, there has been great response from students and schools. There is increasing participation every year," said Richele Maramis, corporate communications and public relations manager of L'Oreal Indonesia.
Through this event, L'Oreal Indonesia aims to introduce science to female senior high school students in an attractive manner, with a different theme each year.
The theme for this year's science camp is "Go Green", in response to the worldwide concern over global warming and climate change.
Aside from the final judging of the research papers, the two-day educational event also offered participating students an opportunity to experience the fun side of science through team-building and science games.
The Jakarta Post's Newspaper in Education (NIE) team participated in this year's L'Oreal Girls Science Camp with an English writing and reading workshop, which uses newspapers as an educational tool.
The NIE team, led by instructor Martina Zainal, showed students that newspapers are not only a source of current information, but can also be used as a medium to hone their creativity.
Participating students appeared to enjoy the variety of events on offer at the camp.
"I am glad to be here. We have a presentation of research papers, outbound activities and games," said Diajeng from SMA Diponegoro 1-Jakarta.like this event because I make new friends while gaining knowledge as well."
Meanwhile, Mutia from SMA 6 Yogyakarta said she gained new experiences and also knowledge from the science camp.
Aside from student participants, theGirls Science Camp also received a thumbs-up from their teachers, who came to mentor and to monitor them.
Rudi Prakanto, a biology teacher at SMA 6 Yogyakarta, expressed his support for the science camp, saying that it brought science subjects closer to the high school students.
"Science is always seen as something difficult. This event shows that science can be fun, too," said Rudi.
L'Oreal Indonesia president director Letellier said in his closing remarks that the event was organized to introduce young women to the world of science. He also expressed a hope that they would one day see some of the students become woman researchers in a scientific field.
