STEAMverse Contest 2026

Tagline

Explore. Create. Innovate.

About the Contest

STEAMverse Contest 2026 is a poster and/or prototype competition for students to present innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) solutions to real-world challenges, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The contest aims to inspire students to explore STEAM through creativity, experimentation, problem-solving, interdisciplinary thinking, and effective communication. Participants may develop prototypes, models, systems, or creative works depending on their selected track.

Objectives

• Cultivate interest in STEAM among primary and secondary school students.
• Encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving across interdisciplinary domains.
• Develop innovation, teamwork, and effective communication skills.
• Promote the integration of technical knowledge, artistic expression, and human-centered thinking.
• Apply knowledge and ideas to real-world challenges with meaningful impact, aligned with global sustainability goals.

Who Can Join

The contest is open to:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Private schools
• Form 6 students

Participation may be:

• Individual, or
• Teams of 2-4 students

Each team must:

• Appoint a team leader.
• Be supervised by at least one teacher advisor.

Themes and Tracks

Participants must select one track only.

1. Artificial Intelligent Urban Living

Track: AI-Powered Smart Living Systems

Eligibility: Primary and secondary students

Competition type: Prototype with poster

This track focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in smart home environments to enhance comfort, safety, energy efficiency, and quality of life. Participants are encouraged to develop solutions that integrate AI with home-based systems such as automation, security, energy management, and assistive technologies.

Projects should demonstrate how intelligent systems can create smarter, more responsive, and sustainable living spaces through practical and user-centered design.

Track: Smart City

Eligibility: Primary and secondary students

Competition type: Prototype with poster

This track focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in urban and community environments to enhance city operations, public services, and overall quality of life.

Participants are encouraged to develop AI-based solutions for areas such as mobility, public safety, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, and urban sustainability.

Note: This track focuses on city- and community-level solutions. Smart home-related projects are not included under this track.

2. Agri-Innovation

Track: Sustainable Agriculture

Eligibility: Primary and secondary students

Competition type: Prototype with poster

This track focuses on innovative solutions in plant cultivation and farming practices to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and food security.

Participants may explore ideas such as smart farming techniques, precision agriculture, soil and crop management, irrigation systems, and environmentally friendly farming methods.

Projects should demonstrate how innovation can support efficient, resilient, and sustainable plant-based food production systems.

3. Creative Futures: Human Expression and Intelligent Experiences

Competition type: Poster presentation

Track: Human Stories, Sustainable Futures

Eligibility: Secondary students only

This track emphasizes human-centered ideas, storytelling, and creative expression to highlight social, cultural, and sustainability-related issues.

Participants are encouraged to present meaningful narratives that promote awareness, empathy, and future-oriented thinking using media or creative approaches that inspire positive societal impact.

Track: Human-AI Creative Interaction

Eligibility: Primary and secondary students

This track explores the integration of human creativity and artificial intelligence in developing innovative and interactive experiences.

Projects may include digital media, generative art, interactive systems, or immersive designs that demonstrate how humans and AI can collaborate creatively. Emphasis is placed on originality, expression, and the creative potential of intelligent technologies.

Students should visually communicate their ideas through a professionally designed infographic poster using generative AI. The poster should showcase the complete creative development process, from early research and brainstorming to final concept realization.

Suggested concept themes include:

• Healthcare assistant robot
• Educational AI companion
• Environmental protection robot
• Creative media AI assistant
• Emotional support AI companion

4. EcoChem Nexus: Frontiers in Green Technology and Applied Science

Eligibility: Secondary students only

Competition type: Prototype with poster

This track welcomes interdisciplinary innovations across applied sciences with a focus on sustainability and green technology. It encourages participants to design innovative green solutions to real-world problems while strengthening their understanding of STEM concepts.

Participants may choose from areas such as:

• Sustainable living
• Smart city solutions without AI elements
• Future technology
• Green and/or renewable energy
• Waste-to-wealth innovation

Note: Smart city projects under this track must not include any AI element.

SDG Alignment

Projects should align with at least one of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• 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

Submission Requirements

Submission requirements depend on the selected track.

Prototype-based tracks require:

• A prototype or model
• A poster presentation

Creative Futures tracks require:

• A poster presentation

Prototype or Model Requirements

The prototype or model should:

• Be a working model or functional concept.
• Demonstrate a clear concept aligned with the selected theme or track.
• Demonstrate relevance to at least one listed SDG.
• Show practical application, innovation, and sustainability impact.
• Be safe, stable, and suitable for display and demonstration.

Acceptable prototype formats may include:

• Physical model
• Functional device
• Simple engineering system
• Simulation, only if hardware implementation is not feasible

Poster Requirements

Each team must prepare a poster. The poster should clearly illustrate, explain, and justify the project.

The poster should include:

• Project title and team details
• Problem statement or background
• Objectives
• Methodology or design
• Results, key findings, expected outcome, or prototype performance
• Visuals such as graphs, diagrams, or images
• SDG relevance
• Conclusion, impact, and future improvements

Recommended poster size: A1

For prototype-based tracks, the poster and prototype must be directly related and presented together. Judges will evaluate how effectively the poster communicates the design, functionality, and impact of the prototype.

Submissions with only a poster or only a prototype will not be accepted for prototype-based tracks.

Proposal Submission

Teams must submit a short project proposal or abstract.

Proposal requirements:

• Limited to 1 page
• 150-200 words
• Include the project title and team details
• Include name and school affiliation
• Include the problem statement
• Include the proposed solution
• Explain how the solution works
• Include expected benefits
• Visuals such as graphs, diagrams, or images are encouraged

Proposal template:

• Proposal upload using this template

Competition Structure

Registration

Online registration should include:

• Team details
• School name
• Project title

Proposal Submission

Teams submit a short project proposal or abstract for review.

Project Development

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

Final Presentation Day

Final presentation activities may include:

• Booth setup
• Poster display
• Live demonstration, where applicable
• Question and answer session with judges

Rules and Regulations

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.
• Teacher advisors 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. This includes 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 supervision is required during prototype development.

Submission Rules

• Only one project is allowed per team.
• All submissions must meet the stated deadlines.
• Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Prototype Development Rules

• Prototypes must be student-built. Teacher guidance is allowed.
• The prototype should be portable, functional, and demonstrable.
• If the prototype is not fully functional, a clear working concept or simulation must be provided.
• Plagiarism or replication of existing commercial products is not allowed.
• Improvements to existing ideas must show clear innovation or added value, where applicable.
• Prototype size must be manageable within the allocated booth or display area.
• The prototype should be easy to transport, assemble, and display within the given time.
• Eco-friendly, recyclable, or biodegradable materials are encouraged.

Poster Presentation Rules

Each team is allocated:

• 10-15 minutes for presentation
• 5 minutes for questions and answers

All team members must participate during the presentation.

Conduct Rules

• Participants must behave respectfully and professionally.
• Disruptive behavior is not allowed.
• Misconduct may lead to disqualification.
• Participants must follow the event schedule strictly.

Teacher Advisor Responsibilities

Teacher advisors should:

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

Judging Criteria

• Innovation and Creativity: 25%
• Scientific or Technical Understanding: 25%
• Practical Application and Feasibility: 20%
• Sustainability Impact (SDGs): 15%
• Presentation and Communication: 15%

Awards

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

Important Dates

The following dates follow the final poster:

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Organizer

Organized by Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).

In collaboration with Jabatan Pendidikan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.