Introducing Innovation of Mosquito Infertilitation, Student of Tazkia IIBS Won Bronze Medal in International Invention 2020 in Iran
"Why be insecure or intimidated when we can do our best?" That sentence was made by Deevanya Azalea Aprillia Putri, a student of class 10, senior high school of Tazkia International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS), who just brought home a bronze medal from the Khayyam: International Invention and Innovation Competition. It was held online by Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, from November to December 2020, aimed at all students all over the world from junior high school to university and even public.
By raising the title Dadap Leaves Extract as Infertility Agent in Mosquitoes, Deevanya, as she is usually called, tried to suppress mosquito breeding by using dadap leaf extract. The idea originated from the increasing number of malaria and dengue fever sufferers in the world. The two are examples of diseases caused by mosquitoes. She attempted to solve the problem by pressing the root, reducing the mosquito population which is the carrier of the disease.
"The results of the experiment could be used as an air freshener or mixed into a bath or a puddle, depending on the circumstances around us," explained the student from Surabaya.
Preceding the final presentation on December 15, 2020, Deevanya intensively carried out an online coaching with teachers of Tazkia, related to abstract writing, research summary, poster, and presentation that should be in English. It was scheduled among Tazkia's regular teaching and learning activities, consequently, it took total commitment and discipline.
Deevanya admitted that since she was in junior high school, she had often participated in various competitions, both scientific and Olympic, in that she is used to the atmosphere of competition. This has lifted her spirit and enthusiasm to excel in the midst of the pandemic.
"I feel more productive and useful by participating in a competition during the pandemic", she said.
Ustadzah Ratu Fatimah, the coach, confirmed that during the coaching, Deevanya was active to start discussions. Even in the last week before the final presentation, she and Deevanya discussed almost every day to prepare the material to be presented. It should be grateful that she managed to get the best results.
"It is undeniable that online coaching can sometimes lead to misperceptions when it comes to discussion, therefore they tried harder than that of face to face," she concluded. (nai / lil)