Competition

STEAMverse Contest 2026

Explore. Create. Innovate.

A poster and/or prototype competition where students present innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics solutions to real-world challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Participation in this competition is completely free of charge.

Opens

11 June 2026

Deadline

15 October 2026

Selection

Two weeks after the submission deadline

Final Day

14 November 2026

About

Innovation with purpose

STEAMverse Contest 2026 inspires students to explore STEAM through creativity, experimentation, problem-solving, interdisciplinary thinking, and effective communication. Submit one proposal describing the idea; the organiser will assign the most suitable competition track after review.

Who can join

Standard 1-3 (6-9 years old)
Standard 4-6 (10-12 years old)
Peralihan/Form 1-3 (13-15 years old)
Form 4 to Upper Form 6 (ages 16 to 19)
Private and international-school students register according to age

Team format

Individual student or team of 2-4 students
One appointed student team leader for team entries
Every entry must be led by one teacher or adult mentor.

Interest

Cultivate interest in STEAM among primary and secondary school students.

Thinking

Encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving across domains.

Teamwork

Develop innovation, teamwork, and communication skills.

Integration

Combine technical knowledge, artistic expression, and human-centered thinking.

Impact

Apply ideas to real-world challenges with meaningful sustainability goals.

Possible Themes and Tracks

Submit your idea. We assign the track.

Participants do not need to choose a track during registration. Describe the project clearly in the proposal and the organiser will assign the most suitable eligible track after review. Prototype tracks require a prototype with poster; Creative Futures tracks use poster presentation.

Theme 1

Artificial Intelligent Urban Living

AI-Powered Smart Living Systems

Prototype with poster

AI applications in smart home environments for comfort, safety, energy efficiency, quality of life, automation, security, energy management, and assistive technologies.

Smart City

Prototype with poster

AI-based solutions for mobility, public safety, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, and urban sustainability. Smart home projects are not included in this track.

Theme 2

Agri-Innovation

Sustainable Agriculture

Prototype with poster

Plant cultivation and farming innovations for productivity, sustainability, food security, smart farming, precision agriculture, crop management, irrigation, and environmentally friendly methods.

Theme 3

Creative Futures

Human Expression and Intelligent Experiences · Poster presentation

Human Stories, Sustainable Futures

Human-centered storytelling and creative expression highlighting social, cultural, and sustainability-related issues.

Human-AI Creative Interaction

Digital media, generative art, interactive systems, or immersive designs showing how humans and AI collaborate creatively through a professionally designed infographic poster.

Theme 4

EcoChem Nexus

Frontiers in Green Technology and Applied Science · Prototype with poster

Interdisciplinary green solutions across sustainable living, smart city solutions without AI, future technology, renewable energy, and waste-to-wealth innovation. Smart city projects under this track must not include any AI element.

Requirements

Submission and proposal checklist

Prototype or model

Working model or functional concept
Clear concept aligned with the organiser-assigned track
Relevant to at least one listed SDG
Safe, stable, suitable for display and demonstration
Physical model, device, engineering system, or simulation where hardware is not feasible

Poster

Project title and team details
Problem statement, objectives, methodology, results, and visuals
SDG relevance, conclusion, impact, and future improvements
Recommended poster size: A1
Prototype tracks must present poster and prototype together

Proposal submission

Limited to 1 page
150-200 words
Include project title, team details, name, and school affiliation
Include problem statement, proposed solution, how it works, and expected benefits
Visuals are encouraged

Open proposal template

SDG Alignment

Align every idea with sustainability

Projects should align with at least one listed United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 13: Climate Action

SDG 14: Life Below Water

SDG 15: Life on Land

Structure

From registration to final presentation

Registration

Proposal

The organiser reviews the proposal and assigns the most suitable eligible competition track.

Development

Teams develop their innovation, prototype, model, system, or poster according to the assigned track.

Final day

Booth setup, poster display, live demonstration where applicable, and question and answer session with judges.

Rules

Rules and regulations

Open each section to review originality, safety, submission, presentation, conduct, and teacher or adult mentor responsibilities.

Submission requirements

Prototype-based tracks require a prototype or model and a poster presentation.
Creative Futures tracks require a poster presentation.
Prototype and poster must be directly related for prototype-based tracks.
Submissions with only a poster or only a prototype will not be accepted for prototype-based tracks.

Proposal submission

Proposal is limited to 1 page and 150-200 words.
Include project title, team details, school affiliation, problem statement, proposed solution, how it works, and expected benefits.
Visuals such as graphs, diagrams, or images are encouraged.

Competition structure

Online registration collects team details, school name, and project title.
Teams submit a short proposal or abstract for review; no track selection is required at registration.
The organiser assigns the most suitable eligible track after reviewing the proposal.
Teams develop their innovation, prototype, model, system, or poster according to the assigned track.
Final presentation day may include booth setup, poster display, live demonstration, and judge question and answer session.

General rules

Projects must be original and student-led.
Plagiarism or copied designs will result in disqualification.
Projects must be completed before the competition day.
A teacher or adult mentor may guide students but must not complete the project.

Project guidelines

Projects must be related to STEAM fields.
Projects should solve a real-world problem.
Projects must be safe and suitable for a school environment.
Use of recycled or low-cost materials is encouraged where suitable for the track.

Safety rules

Dangerous materials are not allowed, including toxic chemicals, explosive materials, flammable materials or chemicals, open flames, live animals, hazardous equipment, or any item deemed unsafe by the organizers.
Electrical components must be low voltage and safe.
All projects must comply with safety regulations.
Teacher or adult mentor supervision is required during prototype development.

Submission and prototype rules

Only one project is allowed per team.
All submissions must meet the stated deadlines.
Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Prototypes must be student-built, portable, functional, demonstrable, and manageable within the allocated booth or display area.
Improvements to existing ideas must show clear innovation or added value where applicable.
Eco-friendly, recyclable, or biodegradable materials are encouraged.

Presentation and conduct rules

Each team is allocated 10-15 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for questions and answers.
All team members must participate during the presentation.
Participants must behave respectfully and professionally.
Disruptive behavior or misconduct may lead to disqualification.
Participants must follow the event schedule strictly.

Teacher or Adult Mentor Responsibilities

Guide and supervise students.
Ensure safety compliance.
Encourage independent student work.
Verify the authenticity of the project.

Judging criteria and awards

Innovation and Creativity: 25%
Scientific or Technical Understanding: 25%
Practical Application and Feasibility: 20%
Sustainability Impact (SDGs): 15%
Presentation and Communication: 15%
Awards include Gold, Silver, Bronze, Best Innovation, Best Presentation, consolation awards, certificates, trophies, or medals.

Registration

Register with your proposal

Registration and proposal submission deadline: 15 October 2026. Submit the proposal once; the organiser will assign the track later. Every entry must be led by one teacher or adult mentor.

School details School name Age group

All students in a team must belong to the same age group. Private and international-school students should select the group matching their age during the competition.

Group details Group name Participation type Project title

Teacher or Adult Mentor Name Phone number (HP) Gender Email address

Student 1 / Team Leader

Name

Gender Year/Form

Student 2

Name

Gender Year/Form

Student 3

Name

Gender Year/Form

Student 4

Name

Gender Year/Form

Proposal file Upload proposal or abstract

Upload a 1-page, 150-200 word project proposal. Use the proposal template and include team details, school affiliation, problem statement, proposed solution, how it works, and expected benefits.

Judging

Judging criteria

Innovation and Creativity25%

Scientific or Technical Understanding25%

Practical Application and Feasibility20%

Sustainability Impact (SDGs)15%

Presentation and Communication15%

Awards

Recognition for participants

Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards
Best Innovation Award
Best Presentation Award
Consolation Awards
Certificates for all participants
Trophies or medals for winners

Important Dates

Contest timeline

11 June 2026

Pre-registration opens

15 October 2026

Registration and proposal submission deadline

Two weeks after the submission deadline

Selection announcement

14 November 2026

Final competition day

Contact

Questions?

Organized by Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), in collaboration with Jabatan Pendidikan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

[email protected]