SDGs competition

Why the SDGs matter for this competition?

Objective

This competition aims to help students learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will find a problem related to an SDG, suggest a solution through an essay, create a poster to show the problem and solution, and make a prototype to demonstrate how their solution works.

This competition helps younger students explore the basics of sustainability through creativity, and it challenges older students to think critically and design realistic solutions — both working together towards the same big goal: making the world a better place by 2030.

For Upper Primary Students (Primary 4–6)

Students are starting to understand the world around them—from the environment to the needs of their community.
This competition gives students the chance to spot problems in daily life—like waste, water use, or fairness—and think of creative ways to fix them.
By learning about the SDGs, students can connect their ideas in class to real global challenges.
They will see how small changes—like recycling, planting trees, or saving electricity—can have a big impact

For Secondary Students (Lower & Upper)

Students are developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can shape their future.
The SDGs encourage students to look beyond schoolwork and apply their knowledge to real issues such as climate change, inequality, or sustainable cities.
By joining this competition, students will practice research, design solutions, and present ideas—skills that will help them in further studies, jobs, or community leadership.
Students’ projects will be showcased at GlobeCoReS 2025, where global experts, researchers, and industry leaders will see their work—giving them a voice in the global conversation on sustainability

Competition categories

Award and prizes for winners

No	Category	1st Prize (RM)	2nd Prize (RM)	3rd Prize (RM)	Consolation (RM)
1	Poster – Primary School	350	250	150	100
2	Poster – Lower Secondary	350	250	150	100
3	Poster – Upper Secondary	350	250	150	100
4	Prototype – Primary School	500	350	200	100
5	Prototype – Lower Secondary	500	350	200	100
6	Prototype – Upper Secondary	600	400	300	100
7	Photograph – Primary School	350	250	150	100
8	Photograph – Lower Secondary	350	250	150	100
9	Photograph – Upper Secondary	350	250	150	100

*All participants will be awarded a certificate of participation

Competition requirements

School

Teacher Requirement:

Each participating school must assign two accompanying teachers to guide and support the teams.
Where possible, schools are encouraged to match teachers to the team’s gender composition for effective supervision. For example:

- All-male teams should be accompanied by male teachers.
- All-female teams should be accompanied by female teachers.
- Mixed-gender teams should have one male and one female teacher.

Team Composition (For Poster & Prototype):

Each team should have four members. Every school is allowed to submit up to two teams per competition category.

Categories

Poster

Size: A3 (29.7 × 42.0 cm)
Format: Hand-drawn or digital
Presentation: 5–7 minutes + Q&A
Focus: Identify a problem, show your solution, make it creative and clear.

Prototype

Format: Physical model or digital simulation
Write-up: 50–100 words (short explanation)
Presentation: 5–7 minutes + Q&A
Focus: Show how the solution works and why it’s practical.

Photography

Size: A3 print (11.7 × 16.5 inches)
Write-up: 50–100 words (short explanation)
Presentation: 3–5 minutes + Q&A
Focus: Capture a powerful image that represents the problem and solution.

Submission guidelines

Deadline for expression of interest: November 10, 2025
Finalist Announcement: November 20, 2025
Final Presentation (Top 10 from each category): 4 December 2025, Curtin Malaysia (On-site)
Judgement: Awards will be given to the Top 3 schools in each category.
How to Submit: PDF files via email to: voltisa@curtin.edu.my with the
Subject line: “GlobeCoReS 2025 SDG Competition – [School Name] – [Team Member Names]
What to submit: softcopy of the poster, photograph or prototype in pdf document.
Contact: Dr. Voltisa Thartori: voltisa@curtin.edu.my for any further details.

For any questions or further information, please contact Dr. Dhanashree Giri Amatya dhanashree.amatya@curtin.edu.my or Dr. Voltisa Thartori voltisa@curtin.edu.my.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your creative solutions to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals!

Examples for each category:

Photography	Prototype	Poster

Competition rubric

Criteria	Weight (%)	Excellent (4–5 points)	Good (3–4 points)	Satisfactory (2–3 points)	Needs Improvement (1–2 points)
Poster
Creativity of Poster	25	Highly original, imaginative, and visually engaging design that clearly represents the chosen SDG, connecting global importance to real-world solutions.	Creative and visually appealing with a clear SDG link, though less deeply explored.	Some creativity with a surface-level SDG connection.	Lacks creativity and fails to represent the SDG meaningfully.
Poster Explanation	25	Clear, structured, and persuasive explanation of both the SDG-related problem and solution, showing local and global relevance.	Explains issue and solution but one is stronger than the other.	Mentions issue or solution briefly with minimal SDG depth.	Unclear or incomplete explanation of SDG relevance.
Use of Visuals	25	Excellent integration of images, diagrams, and text to illustrate the SDG problem and solution clearly and accurately.	Mostly relevant visuals with minor disconnects to SDG.	Visuals are only loosely related to the SDG.	Visuals are unrelated or confusing.
Overall Presentation	25	Professional, polished, and easy to understand, showing how the solution supports the SDG target.	Neat and mostly clear with a visible SDG connection.	Somewhat clear with a weak SDG link.	Poorly presented, hard to understand, unrelated to SDG.
Prototype
Innovation	20	Highly innovative and impactful in addressing the SDG; shows how creative thinking drives progress.	Innovative with some adaptation from existing ideas.	Some creativity but limited originality for the SDG.	Lacks originality and SDG relevance.
Practicality	20	Feasible, sustainable, and scalable solution directly addressing the SDG challenge.	Practical and relevant with minor adjustments needed.	Some practicality but with major feasibility gaps.	Impractical with no real SDG contribution.
Explanation	20	Clearly explains the SDG problem, importance, and solution; strong grasp of local/global impact.	Explains the SDG connection clearly with some weaker links.	Limited explanation of SDG relation.	No clear SDG explanation.
Functionality	20	Works exceptionally well in demonstrating SDG impact potential.	Works well with small issues.	Works but with unclear SDG relevance.	Does not work and lacks SDG link.
Presentation	20	Professional, engaging, and easy to understand with clear SDG focus.	Neat with visible SDG link.	Somewhat clear but weak SDG connection.	Poorly presented with no SDG relevance.
Photography
Creativity / Idea	25	Unique, imaginative, and visually powerful concept directly tied to an SDG, inspiring action.	Creative with some original elements and clear SDG link.	Some creativity but minimal or generic SDG connection.	No creativity or SDG link.
Photo Explanation	25	Clearly describes both SDG problem and solution, showing why it matters.	Describes problem or solution well, but the other is weaker.	Vague mention of SDG without depth.	No clear SDG explanation.
Visual Impact	25	Exceptional quality, composition, and emotional appeal; strongly reinforces SDG message.	Good quality and composition with clear SDG link.	Average quality with weak SDG link.	Poor quality and no SDG link.
Overall Presentation	25	Cohesive, professional, and compelling SDG message.	Mostly clear with some SDG relevance.	Somewhat clear with minimal SDG connection.	Poorly executed with no SDG link.

Tentative programme

Time	Activity	Remarks	Venue
07.45 – 08:30	Arrival & Registration & Refreshment	Teams set up posters, prototypes, and photographs at assigned booths. Breakfast will be served.	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia
08:30 – 08:45	Welcome & Opening Remarks	By Organising Committee	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia
08:45 – 09:00	Briefing for Participants & Judges	Competition rules, judging process, and time allocations explained.	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia
09:00 – 10.30	Parallel Judging – Poster, Prototype, and Photography	Different judging panels for each category. Poster & Prototype: 5 mins presentation + 2 mins Q&A. Photography: 3 mins presentation + 2 mins Q&A.	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia
10.30	Morning Break	All the participants will go to the auditorium for Conference Inauguration	Auditorium, Curtin University Malaysia
11:00 – 12:30	Conference Inauguration	Programme: • Arrival of VIPs • MC Opening and Safety briefing • Singing of the National Anthem “Negaraku” & Sarawak Anthem • Recital of Doa • Welcome Speech byProfessor Dr. Roy Rillera Marzo Chairman of GlobeCoReS 2025 and Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Curtin University Malaysia • Opening Speech by Professor Dr. Vincent Lee Chieng Chen Pro Vice-Chancellor, Curtin University Malaysia• Keynote Address 1 by YB Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee InnMinister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak, Malaysia Topic: Seeds of Change: Education as the Root of Sarawak’s Sustainable Future• Opening Performance • Exchange of Memorandum of Understanding • Token of Appreciation to Guest of Honour • Officiation of GlobeCoReS 2025 • Launching of 1st Global Symposium on Ageing and Longevity (GSAL 2025) • Conference Group Photo Session • Press Conference • GlobeCoReS 2025 Showcase Booth & SDG Competition Tour (Visit our featured partner booths highlighting key innovations in the industry)	Auditorium, Curtin University Malaysia
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch Break	Packed lunch for participants & teachers	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia
13:30 – 14:00	Final Booth Viewing & Interaction	Public viewing and final interaction between students, visitors, and judges.	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia
14:00 – 14:30	Judges Deliberation	Final score tabulation based on rubrics.	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia
14:30 – 15:30	Award Ceremony & Closing	Prizes for winners; certificates for all participants. Group photo & networking.	LT Foyer, Curtin University Malaysia

SDGs competition

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Why the SDGs matter for this competition?