Young Balinese scientists shine in national contests

Young Balinese scientists shine in national contests

By Rita A. Widiadana

SINGARAJA, North Bali (JP): Fourteen-year-old I Komang Adi
Aswantara from the small town of Singaraja startled judges
at the National Youth Science Contest in Jakarta with his simple
yet brilliant scientific project -- a tool to control sea
erosion.

In front of noted scholars such as Andi Hakim Nasution, a
professor at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Komang
eloquently explained how the tool works.

The tool is a one-by-one meter corrugated iron wall that is
placed at a 30 degree angle along coastal areas.

Unlike stone walls which are easily worn away by the sea
waves, iron is resistant to the water.

Komang thought this metal wall was much more effective in
preventing sea water from eroding the coastal areas, as compared
to the existing stone walls.

He boldly explained his finding before the judges, who were
moved to select him as the winner of the contest.

"It was a three-month trial-and-error experiment. I kept
making improvement here and there to create this effective
equipment," said the shy Komang while showing his creation at his
school's library.

The third-year student at SMP 1 junior high school spends his
time after school at Kampung Tinggi village, formerly Singaraja
sea harbor, watching the waves in the sea.

He noticed that the present sea erosion control project along
Singaraja beach was not working very well.

Driven by curiosity, Komang set out to create a better system.
With the support of his parents, friends and teachers, Komang
took part in the contest, held last August by the Ministry of
National Education in cooperation with the Indonesian Institute
of Sciences (LIPI).

"I never thought that my project would impress the jury.
I was so nervous because all the participants were very clever
and creative," Komang said recently at his school in Singaraja.

Komang said he was very happy to receive a computer as part of
his prize for winning. "I am able to learn how to use the
computer, to surf the Internet and play various computer games,"
Komang said happily.

The youngest son of two teachers, he hopes to continue his
studies in science.

"I want to become a great scientist like Albert Einstein,"
Komang said.

Professor Andi Hakim, who delivered the prize to Komang, was
pleased to see so many young talents.

Gifted Scientists

"Indonesia needs so many other Komangs, to educate them to
become gifted scientists," Andi commented.

The contest, held annually in conjunction with the
Independence Day, is aimed mainly at encouraging young students
to explore and experiment.

Sofar Silaen, head of the young scientist program at LIPI,
said that such contests provided a forum for the youth to
showcase their ideas and to test their writing and communication
skills.

"If we want to build an intellectual society, we should start
in the early years," said Sofar.

He also said that this year's contest was dominated by
participants from outside Jakarta.

"This year's contest belonged to Bali. Both of the winners
from the contests organized by LIPI and Mendiknas were students
from Singaraja," Sofar said.

The winner of LIPI's science contest in August 2000 was Ni
Nyoman Metri Agustini, 15, a student at SMAN I high school in
Singaraja.

Metri conducted research on banana fibers and developed the
fibers as textile and handicraft materials.

"The jury included Dr. Pratiwi Sudharmono, Indonesia's
astronaut candidate, and many other prominent figures. I felt so
pessimistic," said Metri, who was accompanied at the interview by
her school principal I Made Sudjana.

Before the interview, Metri presented her findings to small-
scale entrepreneurs in Singaraja.

"Bali has abundant banana trees. We can use banana fiber for
various purposes and create high-quality and export-oriented
shoes, handicrafts and textiles to give more value-added and
financial benefit to local artisans," said Metri.

In l999, Metri also grabbed second place at LIPI's science
contest, when she was still in junior high school.

"My mother, who is a teacher here, always encourages me to
explore more subjects," said Metri, who dreams of becoming a
doctor.

The principal said he was very proud of his students's
academic achievements.

The principal also said the school boasted some other fine
budding academics. One of these students, Putu Wardika, will
represent Indonesia at the International Mathematics Olympics in
the United States next month (November).

"Singaraja has so many promising young scientists, but we
don't have the facilities or money to fully support their
enthusiasm," Sudjana said.