Introduction
The International STEM Youth Innovation Competition is an event for students under the age of 18, organised by the British International Education Association (BIEA). It aims to raise the level of technological enthusiasm among students from all over the world as well as to stimulate students’ passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The competition builds bridges between science, technological innovation, education, and young people across a variety of industries. The competition is held every summer with a new science and innovation theme picked every year. The first event took place in 2018 and was only open to British students with the theme of creating a drone for a rescue situation. From across the UK, more than 2,000 schools participated, comprising of almost every type of school imaginable. The finals were held on 28th June 2018, at the Big Bang Fair South East.
2019 will be the first international competition, with student teams from around the world taking part to design and develop drones in the battle of protecting wild and endangered animals. We welcome entries from all over the world and it is free to enter. The final of this year’s competition will be held in the UK in July 2019.
The Born Free Foundation is an official partner of BIEA. With special thanks to The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS).
Theme of 2019
Over the last hundred years we know of at least 96 species of animals that have gone extinct, that is, lost to this world forever. Humanity has proven itself unable to stem the tide of destruction that it has caused through its actions. Our abuse of the environment has come at a high price as more and more species are added to the critically endangered lists, but there is a weapon in our arsenal that we can use to try to change the future: Technology.
The competition theme in 2019 reflects two major concepts: Technological innovation and conservation of endangered animal species: “Fighting extinction”.