Esplora Interactive Science Centre and the HSBC Water Programme - Catch the Drop campaign have teamed up to offer a unique opportunity for students to design and develop a digital game with the chance for it to be installed as an exhibit at Esplora in Kalkara.

The game aims to promote the conservation of water as our planet's most important resource and was recently installed in the Ecolife Exhibition gallery which focuses on raising awareness about sustainability, energy efficiency, water filtration and waste management. 

Last Saturday, Paul Caruana, HSBC Malta's Southern Area manager, awarded the winning MCAST student Alex Fiott with a €500 prize courtesy of HSBC Water Programme - Catch the Drop campaign.

HSBC Malta congratulated the winner for his accomplishment and Caruana highlighted how this interactive game is another corporate sustainibility initiative by HSBC focusing on education with the hope of achieving long-term results. Through the game, tens of thousands of visitors can delve deeper into what they can do at home to conserve and harvest water, a limited resource in Malta, practically every day.

MCST's executive chairman Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando stated: "Esplora Interactive Science Centre is engaged in a mission to help people connect with science. In doing so, we truly believe that the Centre should have an active role in educating the public on global issues affecting our daily lives. Through the Catch the Drop initiative, Esplora and HSBC have collaborated in instilling a sense of responsibility in our citizens regarding the judicious use of water, an invaluable natural resource."

Fiott described the making of the game as a four-month-long journey full of road bumps. However, even though it wasn't easy, he believes that his participation in Esplora's Water Conservation Game competition has been an invaluable learning experience since it challenged his programming and design skills and encouraged him to express his creativity.

"MCAST and HSBC Malta gave me this opportunity to do something worthwhile and I am grateful for all the support I got from my lecturer and schoolmates. I could not do anything without the help of those around me especially my father who has guided me along the way. This competition has been a great experience as well as a wonderful opportunity to expand on knowledge. I learnt how to create my own graphics as well as new coding techniques. All in all, I thank everyone who has helped me with making this game possible."

Every drop counts! In a time where drinking water scarcity is an ever-growing concern, Esplora, HSBC and MCAST have joined forces to raise awareness about water conservation among the general public.