Young wildlife heroes win Dubai Safari Park Innovators competition

A team of 10 students from Dubai National School – Al Barsha have been crowned winners of the second Wildlife Innovators Competition hosted by Dubai Safari Park. Their groundbreaking project – a smart beehive designed to regulate temperature, humidity, and noise – impressed the judges and secured first place.

The team of students, guided by science teacher Amira Fawaz, includes Sara Abed Halim, Sheika Tamimi, Lara Khali, Maryam Feraidoon, Hind Aljasmi, Haniya Calif, Celine Shehabeddin, Salamah Abdullah, Alya Ahmad and Fatma Alyousuf. Their innovative model aims to reduce stress levels in bees, improving their health and the quality of honey they produce.

Bees play a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment through pollination, which supports the growth of fruits, vegetables, and seeds. However, declining insect populations worldwide pose a threat to ecosystems and food security. In the UAE, conservation efforts such as Sustainable City’s 1,000 beehives, the Emirati Queen Bee Project, and the Hatta Honey Bee Garden are helping protect and strengthen bee populations.

“We, as future scientists of the UAE, are investigating how environmental factors, particularly temperature and humidity, affect bee well-being,” the students said.
“Using recyclable materials and sensor-based monitoring, our model aims to simulate and mitigate heat stress in bees under desert conditions. This research combines innovation, sustainability, and conservation, supporting the UAE’s vision of coexistence between urban development and wildlife,” the students said, who emerged victorious among more than 300 students from over 30 schools.

The team’s smart beehive integrates passive (insulation, shading, and noise dampening) and active (sensor-controlled ventilation) systems to create a controlled, stress-reduced microclimate. Its outer cellulose insulation layer reduces noise, while the inner terracotta layer regulates temperature. Embedded water pipes allow evaporative cooling, and a mesh roof collects humidity to recycle water.

An Arduino-based electronic system monitors internal conditions. Temperature and humidity sensors trigger a water pump and a servo-controlled ventilation flap to maintain optimal levels. The hive’s black-and-yellow design mimics natural bee colours, while decorative bees crafted from recyclable materials promote creativity and sustainability.

The project demonstrates how technology and sustainable design can protect pollinators in harsh climates. By creating sensor-based shelters, the students showcased how science can address ecological challenges, support biodiversity, and promote environmental awareness.