High Schoolers Beat 26 Universities in Bee-Saving Tech

Three high school students from Lacombe, Alberta just proved you don't need a university degree to solve one of agriculture's biggest problems.

Kenzie Lundstrom, Stijn Tans, and Wakefield Roadhouse beat 26 university teams to win the Best Prototype Pitch Video Award at Canada's Tech Futures Challenge on March 8. Their invention, the BeeWise Hive Monitoring and Ventilation System, addresses the critical issue of honeybee colony collapse.

The system works like a smart thermostat for beehives. Sensors continuously track temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels inside the hive, and when conditions turn dangerous for bees, BeeWise automatically adjusts ventilation to restore balance.

The timing couldn't be more urgent. Beekeepers across North America are losing colonies at alarming rates, especially during extreme weather and harsh winters. Without healthy bee populations, many of the crops we rely on face serious threats.

"The BeeWise project showed me how I can apply robotics and engineering to support sustainable agriculture and protect pollinators," Tans said after the competition. The team competed as part of United Robotics of Lacombe, their school's robotics program led by teacher Steve Schultz.

The judges weren't just impressed by the technology itself. The students delivered a clear, professional presentation that highlighted real-world applications beekeepers could use immediately.

The Ripple Effect

This win demonstrates how young innovators are tackling environmental challenges with practical, scalable solutions. The BeeWise system could help beekeepers reduce colony stress and improve survival rates, which means more pollination for crops and stronger food security for communities.

The technology also provides beekeepers with better data about hive health. Instead of guessing what's happening inside, they get real-time information that helps them make smarter decisions about colony care.

Now the team plans to test their prototype in actual working hives. If those trials succeed, they're considering launching a startup company to bring BeeWise to market and help beekeepers across Canada and beyond.

"I am honoured to be presented with such an amazing award, and for my team to be among the many innovators in Alberta changing the status quo," Roadhouse said.

The students will showcase their work at the Tech Futures Challenge Innovation Showcase on May 30 at the University of Calgary's Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. They'll present alongside other young inventors who are proving that age doesn't limit impact.

Teacher Steve Schultz summed it up perfectly: "Winning this award against such strong competition, including university teams, speaks to the creativity, determination, and technical skills of these students."

These three teenagers just showed that the next generation isn't waiting around for someone else to solve environmental problems.