By Justin Tan
Grade 10 Student STEMIA High School
The MFC Games are designed to ignite curiosity in Grades 4-9 students by teaching them about sustainability and renewable energy, all while making learning fun. According to NASA, Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) have the potential to power long-duration space travel. In this initiative, students work in teams to build MFCs that generate electricity using microbes from ordinary garden soil. Teams are also encouraged to experiment and boost their energy output, with the top teams winning exciting prizes.
In 2022, Grade 10 student Justin Tan co-founded the MFC Games with his brother Aaron. In just two years, this student-led initiative has reached over 500 students from schools across Calgary and Red Deer, garnering significant media attention from outlets like CTV News, Global News, and CBC Eyeopener. This year, they even hosted workshops at the 2024 Calgary Mayor’s Environment Expo.
“… they are super eco-friendly in the sense that they can reduce waste and create electricity at the same time!”
•Team Glasses Gang
With support from Principal Kerry Blum and Mr. Denzil Mackrory, the MFC Games received the Inside Education A+ for Energy grant in 2024, enabling the initiative to expand to more schools across Alberta.
Like many youths, I’m deeply concerned about the climate and the environment. But instead of pointing fingers, the MFC Games inspire students to take collaborative, science-driven action. Join us and other schools across Alberta in building a brighter, more sustainable future!
STEMIA Journal 