Njita Arnaud, Asobo Subin-Bih Joyce and Youmbi Harold Kudion, members of the team behind nTron STEM Kits who triumphed in the Cameroon PachiPanda Challenge shares their successful experience. Amid intense competition and sleepless nights, they focused on bridging gaps in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education while promoting sustainability through waste recycling. Their victory paves the way for greater accessibility to their kits, further enhancing their impact on underserved communities.

1. Reflect on the journey of applying for and winning the Cameroon PachiPanda challenge. What emotions and insights did you gain from this experience?

The application process was already very rigorous, but the bootcamp proved to be even more demanding and intense. We had significantly less sleep, yet we made the most of every piece of knowledge and guidance from our coach to relentlessly refine and perfect our pitch in preparation for D‑Day. The fierce competition during the event pushed everyone to their absolute limits, testing our resilience and adaptability. In the end, the sweet reward that followed all the hard work, sacrifices, and sleepless nights felt incredibly satisfying and truly worth it, reinforcing our belief in the power of perseverance and teamwork.

2. Can you provide an overview of your project? What specific problem does it address, and what solutions does it offer?

There is a growing gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education due to a lack of accessible tools and increasing plastic waste with low recycling rates. STEM education promotes critical thinking and problem-solving by integrating these disciplines into hands-on, real-world projects. To address these challenges, we design STEM kits that equip youths with essential skills while promoting renewable energy and sustainability. We also recycle waste into 3D filament for creating robotic parts, thus enhancing education and contributing to environmental sustainability. Through this initiative, we empower youths and foster a culture of sustainability in our communities.

3. In what ways do you anticipate winning this challenge will enhance the growth and development of your project?

This victory will help make our STEM kits more affordable, enabling wider access for young learners. It will also support further Research and Development to create more efficient waste‑recycling machines. Ultimately, these resources will allow us to expand our outreach and bring quality STEM education to underserved communities, where such opportunities are currently almost nonexistent.