The three schoolgirls from Thai Nguyen.

Tran Thi Tra Giang, Dang Thi Hoang Ha and Bui Kim Ngan, three 11^th graders from the High School for Gifted Students of Thai Nguyen province, won the first prize in the 6^th national contest titled “Improving the use and protection of water resources” for students, organised by the Vietnam Association for Natural and Environmental Protection.

Their product, www.moitruong.good.to, features video clips and news articles about the current state of Vietnam’s water sources, remedial suggestions, and of course a forum. Its no-nonsense homepage shows a ticking clock and a moving slogan that reads: “Treasuring time, let’s act now for the environment and human life.”

The group has improved the website, which has been translated into English, for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize this year.

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize takes place from August 15-21, with representatives from 29 countries. The Vietnamese delegation will return home on August 21.

This competition seeks to increase young individuals’ engagement in the common water environment, on local as well as global levels. The aim is to promote young students’ interest in water conservation, water protection and water resources management.

Finalists at the international competition in Stockholm are the winners of national contests. Eligibility is open to young people up to the age of 20 who have not started higher education and who have contributed to water conservation and improvement through projects focusing on local, regional, national or global topics.

The winner receives a US$5,000 award and a blue crystal sculpture in the shape of a water droplet. Though just one individual or group wins the international award each year, many national winners are produced and thousands of young people become involved in water and science issues as a result.

Princess Victoria of Sweden is the patron of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.