Trusity, the leading Edtech in the UAE, recently conducted an Interschool STEAM Competition for children aged between 8 and 17 years. With an aim to drive innovation and STEAM education, the competition required students to come up with creative project ideas aligned with UN SDGs to solve real-world problems and drive sustainability & wellbeing in the region.

The competition received 650+ registrations and 175+ project report submissions from over 40+ schools in the UAE. Post different rounds of judging, 12 finalists were given the opportunity to compete in front of an esteemed panel of judges and audience. The winners for The Most Innovative Project Award in the age group 14-17 years were Manav Madhu and Nael Saade from Indian School, Al Ain for their project Speaking System for the Mute. The winner in the age group 11-13 years was Ann Mary Joseph from The Indian High School, Oud Metha for her project Breathe. The winners in the age group 8-10 years were Mohnish Sai and Suyashi Sahani, from GEMS Modern Academy, Dubai for their project The Sort and Assist Bots. The Most Popular Project Award was won by Rashidah Najib from Newlands School for her project Sustainable Transportation.

The judges panel included Mr. Philip Long, STREAM Lead, Arcadia School, Ms. Sarah Saddouk, Director of Innovation, Entrepreneur.com, and Dr. Shereen Nassar, The Academic Head of Business Management & Enterprise, Heriot-Watt University. Ms. Nargish Khambatta, Senior Vice President, GEMS Education & Principal, GEMS Modern Academy, Mr. Sydney Michael Atkins, Deputy Principal, GEMS Modern Academy and Mr. Naresh Phanfat, Steering Committee Board Member, in5 Dubai, were the Guests of Honour.

“Super proud to be Guest of Honour for Trusity’s Interschool STEAM competition; almost all young kids were brilliantly ahead of their age in showcasing their marvellous startup ideas.” said Naresh (Nes) Phanfat, Steering Committee Board Member, in5 Dubai.

From among the participating schools, The Indian High School was awarded with “The Most Active Participation School Award” for actively driving STEAM education and participation. GEMS Modern Academy was awarded “The Most Innovative School Award” for their students’ innovative projects and ideas.

“The Trusity STEM Challenge was an interesting competition for our students. It was a rigorous selection process and I am delighted that our children were able to showcase their deep learning and win accolades for it. Trusity needs to be applauded for encouraging students to solve problems with STEM thinking” said Ms. Nargish Khambatta, Senior Vice President, GEMS Education & Principal, GEMS Modern Academy.

The society we live in is ever-changing and constantly evolving, and it is crucial that our children and youth are prepared for this fast-paced world. Driving STEAM education in children is crucial for their future success, and here’s why.

Firstly, STEAM education is critical for developing problem-solving skills and children are taught to think critically and logically. They learn to analyze and break down complex problems and find solutions. These skills are highly valuable in every field, whether it is engineering, medicine, or business. By starting STEAM education early, children develop these skills from a young age and can carry them into adulthood. This, in turn, helps them become more independent and self-sufficient in their future careers.

Secondly, STEAM education encourages innovation and creativity. While it is primarily focused on science and mathematics, it also includes arts and creativity. By combining these disciplines, children can explore and experiment with new ideas and concepts. This fosters a spirit of innovation and encourages children to think outside the box. In the future, these skills will be highly valued in the workplace, as employers are constantly looking for innovative thinkers who can come up with new and creative solutions to problems.

Thirdly, STEAM education is important for building a strong and resilient economy. The jobs of the future will mostly be in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Therefore, it is essential that our children are prepared for these opportunities. By providing STEAM education, we are investing in our future economy, and our children will be well-equipped to build it. Moreover, we are creating a skilled workforce that can lead to economic growth and prosperity.

Lastly, STEAM education is vital for addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and hunger, that require innovative solutions. STEAM education can equip children with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle these challenges. For instance, children can learn about sustainable engineering and technologies that can help mitigate climate change. By investing in STEAM education, we are investing in the future of our planet.

“STEAM education opens up a world of opportunities. It is no secret that we are globally moving towards automation and digitization, and STEAM education is the key to unlock these opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum, 65% of children entering primary school today will end up in jobs that do not exist yet. To prepare our children and youth for this ever-changing future, it is vital that they are exposed to STEAM education. By doing so, they can explore their interests and passions, which may lead them to new and exciting fields of study or careers that they might not have considered before. As parents, educators, and policymakers, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children and youth are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in a fast-paced world.” said Ms. Rajani Nalla, Founder & CEO, Trusity.

Schools UAE Dubai Schools in UAE Schools in Dubai GEMS Modern Academy Arcadia School The Indian High School, Dubai Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus GEMS Education Indian School Al Ain