Over the Christmas holiday period Class of 2021 graduate Cici Zhou submitted her abstract and a short video of the Extended Essay (EE) research to the Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize awards committee for shortlisting. Her research was on Probiotic Water Treatment: The Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus Strains on The Inhibition and Degradation of E. Coli Biofilms as a Novel Method for Waterborne Pathogenesis Control.
Cici's reflection on her journey:
What a way to end my EE journey with the Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize! I would firstly like to thank Mr Lal and Mr Craig-Ward for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the process.
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize attracts entries from high school students all over the world for their water-related research. I was lucky enough to be placed in the national top four entrants in Australia this year. Starting off my Biology EE at the beginning of Year 12, I never imagined I would get this far with my project. To apply for the Water Prize, candidates must first submit an abstract and three-minute video highlighting the key aspects of their research. Shortlisted candidates are then invited to give a 10-minute presentation about their research to a judging panel. Winners are then able to represent their country and compete for an international title.
I was very glad that through the Water Prize, I was able to gain the experience of presenting scientific research and share the findings of my project with the public. My EE was based on the inhibition and degradation of pathogenic biofilms by probiotic strains. Biofilm growth in pipes and water systems is still an unsolved health issue present in both developing and developed countries, accounting for 80% of infectious illnesses in the former. I leveraged the antimicrobial property of probiotics to study whether they would be effective in tackling biofilm growth as a method for waterborne pathogenesis control. Writing the EE report can be a grueling process, so to any student reading this and on their own journey, take this as a sign to keep on going!
My advice to current students is to catch every opportunity that comes your way. I've come to learn that the experience is always more precious than the outcome.
To interested students, you can find out more about the Water Prize and my entry here.
Cici Zhou
Class of 2021Graduate
Anir Lal
HOD Science and Enrichment (Acting)