Renee Hairiyanto: The Five‑Year‑Old Who Turned a Traffic Light into a Life‑Saver
Picture this: a sunny Singapore street, a little girl named Renee strolling back from playtime, when an accident happens right before her eyes. The culprit? A blind man who missed the traffic light’s warning beep because the road buzzed louder than his ears could pick up. Instantly, young Renee had a light‑bulb moment.
From Curiosity to Creation
Rather than just shrugging off the incident, Renee’s parents Mister Hairiyanto and Madam Siti Qadriyah encouraged her to dig a little deeper. “I asked them why it happened and how I could keep people safe,” she recalled. As a result, the bright little mind behind the idea turned a big problem into a practical solution.
Renee’s Necklace for the Blind
- A simple, wearable collar that discharges GPS‑based directions.
- Smart sensors that buzz when danger is near.
- Ready‑to‑use “free‑to‑donate” style – perfect for everyday life.
This little invention finally turned her into a Kindergarten Category Winner at the Pratt & Whitney Invention Convention (PWSIC) held at Temasek Polytechnic on November 22‑23.
What The PWSIC Was All About
In this event, 116 glittering students (ages five to 19) from Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam showcased 80 inventions. Here’s a quick snapshot:
- Participants combined science, tech, engineering, and a dash of entrepreneurship.
- Topics ranged from sustainability, to pandemic responses, to accessibility.
Top Honorees Worth a Stand‑Up Applause
- Naomi Eden Tsukasoshi (Primary 1 & 2) won the top spot with “GrowShoes.” Her shoes grow with her feet, cutting waste. She mentioned the frustration of outgrowing her sneakers within three months, turning into a powerful motivation to keep trying.
- Ezekiel Lee (Primary 5 & 6) presented a modular bag system that saves space, and Tay Shi Yi (Primary 3 & 4) showcased an expandable desk that helps home‑schoolers avoid clutter.
- From Indonesia, Madeline Chelsie Tin and Marcello Yeremia Sihite received the Pratt & Whitney Sustainability Champion Award for their eco‑friendly “Filter Born,” which uses the Cananga plant to tame carbon emissions.
Renee’s Finale: A Toolkit for Everyday Heroes
In sum, Renee turned her observation into a nifty, community‑friendly device that lets blind individuals feel the safety of a street. With her first prize, she not only wins applause but also opens a door for future innovations that keep the streets safer for everyone.
<img alt="" data-caption="Over 116 students from 15 foreign and local schools participated in the Pratt & Whitney Invention Convention held in November this year.
PHOTO: Stemie Advantages” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”d19ff26e-b5f1-4bf0-9114-edcc1c2f1e4c” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/setemie2.jpg”/>
Learning the Art of Needed Failures
Ms. Nancy Soon, the brains behind the Stemie Advantages movement and a key hand in the recent convention, recently shared a heartfelt message about how the competition lights the way for the next generation.
Why the Process Beats the Prize
- Critical Thinking – Students learn to dissect problems and build solutions piece by piece.
- Inventive Thinking – Creativity is the buzzword; the goal is to explore fresh approaches.
- Resilience – The real win is developing a “never-give-up” attitude.
“ Focusing on the process instead of the outcome is key to building resilience and inspiring students to keep trying. “ says Ms. Soon. “We want them to know it’s okay to fail, it’s okay not to know, but it’s not okay to not try.” The sentiment rings out like a friendly nudge: Failing is just a detour, not a dead end.
TP Steps In as a Knowledge Partner
Long-time supporter TP has stepped into the role of knowledge partner for this year’s event. The organisation’s mission? To help shape tomorrow’s bright minds.
Inside TP’s Vision
Mr. Tan Poy Boon, Deputy Director of Research & Technology Development, says:
“TP believes in nurturing tomorrow’s thinkers, leaders, and creators with boundless curiosity and an out-of-the-box mindset. Aligned with our tagline ‘Creating Tomorrow’, we aim to join forces with industry and community, crafting a culture where young minds can grow into innovators.”
Pratt & Whitney Joins the Conversation
In turn, Mr. Yogesh Farswani, regional vice‑president for Asia‑Pacific customer business at Pratt & Whitney, adds his thoughts:
“Innovation drives progress. We’re committed to supporting the next generation so they can not only succeed but break boundaries.”
Bottom Line
In short, the competition is a rallying point for life‑skills, creativity, and perseverance. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or pulling on your own ambition, the mantra stays clear: Keep trying, keep learning, and keep laughing at the failures that keep you going.
