The Bangkok Eco-Innovators: The Sustainable Solutions Challenge is an exciting, hands-on science and design competition for school aged students, inspiring them to create real-world solutions to environmental challenges. Participants will explore science, engineering, and design thinking to develop innovative ideas that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Enter the Bangkok Eco-Innovators Expo and share your ideas to solve a global sustainability challenge, hosted at Bankgok Patana School on April 30th. Represent your school and meet like-minded students. There are prizes for the winning exhibitors and a guest judge – Bangkok Patana alum Sri Hollema, inventor of Mat Zero and the UK Female Innovator of the Year. This is a great project to keep you busy over the Songkran break!
Overview of the Expo
This year’s special guest judge is Sri Hollema, Bangkok Patana School Alumnus, Founder of Mat Zero, and 2025 UK Women in Innovation Awardee, who will provide expert feedback and inspire the next generation of changemakers. Participants will design a solution addressing one of the following sustainability challenges:
· SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy – How can we develop innovative solutions that promote renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, or provide clean energy access for all?
· SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – How can we ensure our cities and communities can live together in harmony over the long term and be resilient?
· SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production – How can we reduce waste and create sustainable products?
· SDG 13: Climate Action – How can we design a solution to lower carbon emissions or help communities adapt to climate change?
· SDG 14: Life Below Water – How can we protect marine life or reduce ocean pollution?
· SDG 15: Life on Land – How can we safeguard biodiversity and restore natural ecosystems?
Challenge Statement “How can we design a product, system, or solution that protects our planet and makes a real impact in our community?”
Who Can Particpate
· Open to students in Years 5 – 13 (Grades 4 – 12)
· Students will work independently but can receive guidance from teachers and mentors.
· You can enter as an individual OR a team of up to 4 students.
· The age categories will be:
- Eco Sprouts (Year 5 & 6/Grade 4 & 5) – Budding innovators taking their first steps in sustainability.
- Green Pioneers (Year 7,8 and 9/Grade 6,7 and 8) – Bold thinkers exploring creative solutions for the planet.
- Future Guardians (Year 10+/Grade 9+) – Young changemakers leading the way toward a sustainable future.
Competition Structure
1. Research & Exploration
- Learn about sustainability challenges related to SDG 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15.
- Explore real-world eco-innovations for inspiration.
2. Design & Prototype
- Develop a creative solution to an SDG challenge.
- Use recycled, repurposed, reusable or sustainable materials to build a prototype.
- Document the process through sketches, journals, or photos.
3. Showcase at the Eco-Innovators Expo
- Present prototypes to a panel of teachers, peers, and our guest judge, Sri Hollema.
- Explain how their innovation promotes a sustainable future.
- Each participant will be provided with one table to display their creation which is 1.8m x 0.6m and one display board which is 2m x 1m. All other materials must be supplied by the student.
Judging Criteria
A panel of expert judges, including Sri Hollema, will evaluate entries based on:
- Innovation & Creativity
- How original and inventive is the idea?
- Sustainability Impact – How effectively does it address an SDG?
- Functionality & Feasibility – Could it work in real life?
- Presentation & Communication – How well does the student explain their idea?
How to Enter & Participate
Choose an SDG linked to Sustainability
7 – Affordable and clean energy
11 – Sustainable cities and communities
12: Responsible consumption and production
13: climate action
14: Life below water
15: Life on Land
Using the Bangkok Eco-Innovators Design Brief.docx along with your STEM skills and creativity, come up with an innovative solution!
Create a display for our judges. The display can include models, photographs and posters.
Prizes to be won in each category and all participants receive a medal
The judges will visit your table at the Eco-Innovators Expo to learn about your project.
Our special guest judge is Sri Hollema, the inventor of Mat Zero and UK Female Innovator of the Year!
You can register for the event HERE
