We are proud to announce that CERC students Niel and Kumara have won the Junior Science Award at the Big Bang Competition 2026, held at the NEC Birmingham on 9 June 2026.
The Big Bang Competition 2026 received more than 800 entries from secondary school students across the UK. From this highly competitive pool, nearly 200 students, representing just over 100 outstanding projects, were shortlisted as finalists to showcase their innovative ideas.
Their award-winning project, Rapid Replanting Capsules, addresses the global challenge of deforestation and land degradation. The innovative biodegradable capsules combine seeds, hydrogel, and biochar to create a protective environment that helps plants survive and grow in harsh conditions.
The project also includes a drone-compatible dispensing system, designed to enable faster and more efficient large-scale reforestation. Through extensive testing, Niel and Kumara demonstrated that their capsules significantly improved seed survival and plant growth compared with traditional methods.
This achievement highlights their creativity, scientific thinking, and commitment to developing practical solutions for environmental challenges.
Congratulations to Niel and Kumara on this outstanding success and for representing CERC with distinction at the Big Bang Competition 2026.
