As freshmen in high school, we were eager to try out all sorts of competitions, but didn’t know where to start. That’s when we learned about the competition and were deeply attracted to it not only because our teacher had mentioned three-minute presentations were popular in universities, but also because it gave us ample space to unleash our imagination and scientific abilities, allowing us to explore diverse topics.
Initially, we brainstormed various themes, ultimately deciding on ocean pollution. Since it’s a common topic, we chose to focus on a less familiar aspect: how microplastics affect existing pollutants in the water.
With the help of the lab administrator and chemistry teacher, we gradually discussed, conducted experiments, and produced videos and presentations. Although the whole process took a considerable amount of time, it was enjoyable. Of course, we also encountered many difficulties, including moldy experimental materials and not knowing how to use the App, which were overcome by adding plastic wrap to the containers and by consulting the teacher.
Besides the obstacles in the experiment, there were unexpected problems while filming. While filming in the school’s public area during lunch break, we accidentally bumped into a patrolling teacher! When he asked us to return to the classroom, we were all so relieved that we had just finished recording the last segment of the video.
So far, we’ve all gained something during this time and learned how to cooperate. We also look forward to improving our oral expression skills and pushing our limits in the next stage of the competition.