How the competition proceeds

1. Registration phase

The teams of one to four members create a short description of their science project by the 18th of November. The description must include:

1)    Short description of the idea

Briefly describe the idea of your science project. What sutainable development problem or challenge does your project offer a solution to? Describe the solution you came up with.

The proposed solution may be related to, for instance, climate change prevention, sustainable solutions, wellbeing technology, health technology, reducing poverty or illnesses, reducing littering of seas or other prevention of threats to the future of humanity and/or the planet. Creativity, innovation and STEAM spirit are considered a plus!

For inspiration, please check out The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

2)    Short description of the project (tasks and procedures)

Describe briefly how the project is implemented, who implements it, through what kind of procedures and on what schedule. The participants will receive expert support from higher education students for implementing the project. The materials needed for the project are acquired by the participants themselves or through their educational institution.

The participants will receive expert support for the implementation of the project from the students of Turku Technology Campus from the project phase I starting the 15th of December. We encourage the competitors to unleash their creativity at the design stage, as it is possible to narrow down the idea with the help of an expert at a later stage of the competition!

3)    The expected result

Describe briefly what the expected result is like (e.g. a new device or a new operating model).

The written description of the project will be submitted electronically by 18th of November 2022 at 23.59. The plans can be returned using this registration form (Webropol).

2. Project phase I

The preliminary jury selects 25 descriptions from among submissions made on time to continue to the project phase I that begins on the 15th of December 2022 and ends on the 19th of January 2023. The teams proceeding to the project phase receive mentoring from students from higher education institutions in Turku (University of Turku, Åbo Akademi, Turku Vocational Institute, Yrkeshögskolan Novia). The mentors will receive a remuneration for their work.

Of those teams that have successfully submitted their projects by the 19th of January 2023, the jury will select ten best projects to the semifinal that will be organised on the 17th of February 2023. During the semifinal, the teams will be able to present their projects to the jury, which will select five best projects to continue to the final phase. 

Semifinal

In the semifinal, the top ten teams will present their projects to the competition’s jury panel, who will select the five best teams to continue with final phase of the competition. The semifinalists will present their projects in the form of an “elevator pitch” followed by a Q&A with the jury members. More information about the elevator pitches will be sent later.

3. Final phase

The final phase of the competition will be held 20.02.-14.04.2023. During the final phase, the remaining five teams are expected to work on a demo or prototype version of their project, including a proof of concept (= evidence that demonstrates that the solution is feasible). The goal is to get as finished end product as possible.

The teams will present their projects in the finale on 21st of April 2023. The schedule and program of the finale will be published later.

The jury of the competition consists of representatives of higher education institutions, the City of Turku, Bayer and other partners. You can get to know the members from here.