Scienpreneur Students of Tazkia IIBS Transform Polystyrene into Eco-Brick
The unrest toward environmental waste has succeeded two students of Tazkia International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) in International Science Technology and Engineering Conference (ISTEC) 2019. Yunita Fawziah and Fatimah Az Zahra have beaten 160 teams from 14 countries by winning gold medal in international contest.
Two students of Scienpreneur major of Tazkia IIBS have transformed polystyrene into eco-brick. The public need of infrastructure is increasing and massive construction planning has resulted in a significant loss of water catchment areas.
"This reason encourages us to do research about possibility of processing polystyrene to be environmentally friendly brick," Fatimah Az Zahra says as one of the participants of conference held in Bandung on 13-16 of January 2020.
They see polystyrene as non-biodegradable substance, causing harm to the environment. Especially when it breaks into small pieces and cannot be decomposed for hundreds of years.
Supervised by a lecture of Civil Engineering, University of Brawijaya, Dr. Eng. Eva Arifi, St. MT, they did a research for three months. Making porous concrete paving block using polystyrene as one of the mixtures, these students have shown their talent in scienpreneur.
The result shows it has great potential to be alternative aggregate in porous concrete paving. Additionally, the paving block can maintain water storage in the ground.
"This function is necessary today, expanding water absorption area covered by paving. The water will flow through pores and fall into the ground. Moreover, it reduces the number of polystyrene waste by recycling," she said.
Their supervisor, Ustadz Maulidan Asrofil Anam, S. Si stated that previously there was a selection. They had passed on 350 participants from 160 countries before presenting in the final session.
This was one of the ways of Tazkia IIBS to support students to inspire others. Hopefully the achievement encourages Tazkia students to be motivated more to excel internationally.
Media Publication:
1. https://www.harianaceh.co.id/2020/01/19/santri-tazkia-sulap-sterofoam-jadi-paving-ramah-lingkungan/
3. https://republika.co.id/berita/q4d2ad368/santri-tazkia-sulap-sterofoam-jadi-paving-ramah-lingkungan
