As we conclude our time in Geneva, we can’t help but reflect on that nerve-wracking yet exhilarating moment when we presented two problem spaces we were truly passionate about. Trust me, the adrenaline was real!
In just a day, we went from brainstorming to finalizing our ideas, whipping up a solid presentation deck, and practicing our pitch until it was smooth. Talk about a hustle!
Our first idea took aim at the daunting challenge of global food security. With the world’s population set to skyrocket by 2030 and beyond, we knew we had to get innovative with agriculture. We dove into the issues: climate change, shrinking farmable land, and a lack of R&D investment. Our solution? Vertical farming! We’re talking high-tech setups using gear from CERN and deep tech – HYLIGHT to boost efficiency, slash waste, and pump out nutrient-packed crops year-round. Imagine transforming cities into lush, green oases, with fresh produce just a stone’s throw away.
Then there was our second brainchild: tackling the mounting mountain of healthcare waste, especially in the Big Apple. With waste volumes on track to swell by a whopping 30% by 2030, we couldn’t ignore the risks. Cue our game plan: an on-site waste segregation system powered by top-notch tech like HYLIGHT and VISIR2. Picture this: accurate sorting of contaminated plastics from the rest of the trash, streamlined workflows, and enhanced safety. It’s a win-win, saving both human health and the environment.
1. HMW minimize crop failures, while simultaneously improving the overall quality of crops.
2. HMW enhance the segregation process and safe disposal of medical-waste, minimizing environmental and public health risks.
Now, let’s talk nerves. As we geared up to present, butterflies were doing the cha-cha in our stomachs. And being the first group to go? Yeah, that didn’t exactly calm the nerves. But leave it to the incredible teaching staff at CERN to pull a rabbit out of the hat. A spontaneous grounding exercise brought us together, squashing those jitters and replacing them with a hefty dose of confidence. When we hit the stage, the flow was smooth and the presentation seemed to hit all the right notes. We soaked up the feedback on how to dive deeper into our problem spaces. And by the end, we had a clear favorite topic, setting the stage for our future adventures.
We were very happy with our work even though we got ‘Pabloed’ But, lessons learned about quantification!
As our Geneva adventure wound down, we spent our final day hashing out next steps with the teaching team and bidding a bittersweet farewell to our new crew. A heartwarming video montage from our time together, courtesy of the teaching team, was a real tear-jerker. Cue the waterworks as we relived the highs and lows, the laughs and the growth. Our Geneva chapter may be over, but we’re just getting started! Excited for Phase 2, armed with inspiration from CERN and the Swiss Alps as our backdrop, we’re ready to refine our ideas, crunch some numbers, and build that prototype!
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