In a presentation at the United Nations Assembly Hall yesterday, 16 Bermudian high school students shared their idea with the world ? and received a standing ovation.

During a conference of the United Nations International School (UNIS) the students unveiled a concept that is the first step towards a new water trapping system that can be used in the underdeveloped world.

Bermuda's traditional rainwater roof system was the nucleus for the idea.

Now, following the well received presentation yesterday, UNIS is ready and willing to take the next step which means vetting the concept to figure out where it can work and who it can help. Representatives will come to Bermuda later this month for an official launch. Chaperone Andrew Phillips, who is in New York, said of the standing ovation: "Everybody was up. The electricity of the crowd and everything, everything was a plus. The kids delivered."

As part of Global Arts Entertainment and Youth News.com the high school students have learned that potable water harvesting is a crisis facing many parts of the world.

The plight is especially cruel on children.

The UNIS has proved a perfect outreach platform because the school has entities all over the globe, including third world countries.

Bermuda-based US Consul General Gregory Slayton's daughter and son, who are students at Saltus, are part of the travelling contingent.

From the UN yesterday Mr. Slayton said: "Potable water is one of the biggest problems facing the developing world.

The students understand it's a big deal for the world and a very big deal to be presenting at the United Nations."

Sasha Slayton, 16, and Christian Slayton, 14, are in an especially interesting position because their father is a diplomat, and for this two day conference, they're being treated as junior diplomats.

Mr. Slayton said: "It's great, they're doing a wonderful job.

"It's great for them to get a taste of diplomacy and of course international diplomacy is something our world depends on to keep peace."

The Consul General offered praise to the group of adults who prepared the 16 youngsters.

Five of them were responsible for making the actual presentation ? students from the Berkeley Institute, Saltus, CedarBridge Academy and the Bermuda Institute.

According to Mr. Phillips, they were really challenged during the event because a computer glitch temporarily prevented some of the images from appearing on an overhead projector.

Nonetheless they recovered well enough to receive that standing ovation from more than one thousand onlookers.

Also on the trip is Education Minister Randolph Horton.

He gave a speech just before the student presentation. Students, educators and diplomats from all over the world are in attendance, including the newly elected United Nations Secretary General.