Four young students from Belize, Amber Wright, Alair Marin, Irian Jones, and Osvani Magaña, made a splash on the international stage. They competed in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2023 held in Panama. This annual competition brings together talented students from across Latin America and the Caribbean, challenging them to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.

This year marked the first time Belize participated in the Latin American edition of the competition, making their victory even more remarkable. The four girls stood out amongst over 9,000 participants from more than 100 schools, showcasing their ingenuity and dedication.

Their journey and the creation that secured them the top prize is a story of inspiration for aspiring problem-solvers everywhere. Read on to discover what challenge they tackled and how their invention is making a difference.

Brilliant solutions to help people with visual impairments

Team Belize, representing Pallotti High School, stood out amongst the thousands of participants. Their focus: a challenge impacting millions globally and acutely felt in their own community - visual impairment. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide have some form of vision impairment, with 1 billion experiencing near or distant vision loss. In Belize, reliable data on the prevalence of visual impairment is limited, but the team’s observations indicated a significant challenge.

“We observed the daily struggles of people with visual impairments,” shared Amber. “The infrastructure does not cater to their needs, and existing support systems are limited.” Fueled by this observation and a desire to make a difference, the team embarked on a journey of innovation, culminating in their groundbreaking invention – SMARTZ.

This ingenious device tackles a significant concern for the visually impaired – head injuries and falls. SMARTZ is a two-part wearable solution, offering users a multi-layered shield against potential dangers. The cane attachment detects objects within a 3-5 feet radius, while the smart glasses identify potential dangers at head level, preventing facial or head trauma.

Beyond the win, inspiring the future

Team Belize’s dedication and resourcefulness not only secured them the coveted first place title but also garnered them the respect and admiration of the global community. Their story transcends the realm of competition, becoming a powerful testament to the potential within Belizean youth and highlighting the importance of addressing local challenges with innovative solutions that can have a global impact.

“This win is a milestone for aspiring scientists and inventors in Belize, and we hope it inspires others to pursue their dreams in STEM fields,” said a team member.

Team Belize’s remarkable journey serves as a powerful reminder that innovation can blossom anywhere, fueled by a combination of passion, dedication, and resourcefulness. Their story is a call to action, urging young people everywhere to embrace their potential and become the problem-solvers and changemakers of tomorrow.