Submitted Story: ÉSLCHS Students Showcase Innovative Bee Monitoring Prototype at AZTech Awards Grand Opening
Four innovative robotics students from École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School (ÉSLCHS) proudly showcased their award-winning BeeWise Monitoring Prototype at the prestigious AZTech Awards, Sept. 27, in Calgary. Eugene Lofgh Malabuyoc (Grade 12), Stijn Tans, Wakefield Roadhouse, and Judah Boyko (all in Grade 11)—represented their school and the Tech Futures Challenge (TFC), hosted by MindFuel Alberta and the AZTech Foundation, as they presented their prototype to an audience of technology leaders, innovators, and peers from across Alberta.
The BeeWise Monitoring System was born out of the declining commercial bee population over the winter, which hit both the school’s beekeeping program and local agri-bee operations. Recognizing the importance of bees to food production, the students set out to create a solution.
They began by consulting with beekeeping experts to identify the specific requirements for hive health. From there, they designed and built their prototype using Arduino technology—a cost-effective, open-source platform compatible with various sensors. After assembling the prototype, they ran multiple lab tests, comparing their sensors to industry-standard references to ensure accuracy and reliability. Improvements, such as housing the sensors in a weather-resistant container and video-logging the data, enhanced the effectiveness of their system.
Their prototype monitors key environmental factors within hives, such as temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, allowing beekeepers to manage their hives effectively and ensure the survival of their bees through the colder months.
Notably, the BeeWise Monitoring System stood out for its simplicity, affordability, and creativity. Using off-the-shelf components, the team was able to develop the prototype for just $37. In recognition of their achievements, the BeeWise team was honoured with the "Best Prototype" award at last year's Tech Futures Challenge, hosted by MindFuel.
“It is so awe inspiring to see LCHS Robotics Students Innovation being recognized at the AZTech Grand Opening. The BeeWise project aligns with the principles of environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic viability,” ÉSLCHS teacher Steven Schultz. “The students are tremendous innovators. Their presentation at the AZTech Awards marked another significant milestone, allowing the students to share their work with a wider audience and gain valuable insights from industry professionals. By educating others on bee health and promoting sustainable hive management, the students’ project contributes to a broader effort to protect these vital pollinators.”
The students admit this presentation was an amazing opportunity to network with other innovators. Looking to the future, the team has plans to continue improving the BeeWise Monitoring System by calibrating the sensors, conducting further lab trials, and testing the prototype under real-world conditions with local beekeepers. They aim to make the device even more compact, fully weatherproof, and capable of transmitting data directly to a personal device, including sending alerts when hive conditions deviate from optimal levels.