Science is an engine of human innovation. And Science in Action, a $50,000 award funded this year by Scientific American a new addition to the Google Science Fair for 2012, is a way to honor a project that shows the power of what science can do: the winning entry addresses a social, environmental or health issue to make a practical difference in the lives of a group or community. The winners got to travel to Google’s California campus for the awards event. Volunteer mentors (see names below) will help further their work for a year.

This year’s winning project is the Unique Simplified Hydroponic Method, developed by two 14-year-old boys, Sakhiwe Shongwe and Bonkhe Malalela of Swaziland, in southern Africa. You can watch a video about their work and home above. (You can also learn about the science teacher who inspired them, Titus Mandala Sithole.)  There were 13 finalists for Science in Action; to me, they are all amazing.

The Google Science Fair has three age categories, for teens from 13 to 18. Sakhiwe and Bonkhe competed in the 13-14-year-old category as finalists as well. I was a finalist judge and master of ceremonies for the amazing awards event in July 2011 and also a judge this year. It was an inspiring night for all.

— Mariette DiChristina, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

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