Young innovators shine at international STEM competition

Future engineers develop sustainable packaging to tackle the plastic pollution crisis

Not-for-profit for positive youth development, The British International Education Association, is holding an online award ceremony for winners of the BIEA 2021 STEM Competition

The British International Education Association (BIEA) is staying true to their mission of facilitating equal and fair access to quality STEM education. The online award ceremony to announce winners of the BIEA 2021 STEM Competition is scheduled to hold virtually on Wednesday 22 September 2021 from 12:00 to 13:30 BST, as the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UK and US government research indicate, 80% of the future jobs will involve science and maths. It’s therefore ever more important and urgent for young people to build up their Science Capital. With the international STEM competition at the heart of the BIEA STEM programmes, BIEA has been working in partnership in local regions to develop initiatives that enthuse and engage youngsters in STEM learning, and secure their knowledge in critical STEM skills.

The 2021 competition theme incorporated UN’s Sustainable Development Goals & COP26 mission, teams were challenged to investigate the plastic pollution crisis and develop sustainable food packaging for schools and workplaces. Prenominal entries from participants aged 9-21 across the globe were received, as teams demonstrated their enthusiasm to take climate action and make a positive impact in their communities. Innovative packaging materials were developed including corn husks, orange peels, algae films, beeswax and many more.

Competition finalists from 13 countries, including the UK, UAE, China, India, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland and Azerbaijan, all delivering exceptional presentations to the judges, enlightening the panel with what's happening in their regions.

A packed ceremony agenda will feature leading scientists from the UK and Europe, and BIEA youth STEM champions sharing their knowledge and vision on plastic pollution and climate change. Booking is through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/biea-2021-stem-competition-award-ceremony-tickets-168278165523

For more information about the BIEA 2021 STEM Competition and other initiatives from the British International Education Association, visit - https://bieacompetition.org.uk/.

Examples of Finalist Entries:

Malaysia juniors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Tggn2R42s -- delightful presentation of coconut food containers

Azerbaijan: https://youtu.be/e-kqP8GN5Vk -- well-conducted research & experiments using onion husks, peanuts husks etc

India 10-year-olds: https://youtu.be/2cEWmuNslLE -- articulate presentation including analysis of plastic damage to human health

Malaysia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=280ATj7HPwk -- excellent prototype using local resources such as durian, tapioca

China Finalists: https://youtu.be/qcg9adJYxLA -- a compilation of several teams

UK 10-year-olds: https://youtu.be/6oIjlqA8qpU -- shows school/teacher encouragement is key maintain students' interests in STEM

Notes to Editors

Media opportunities available:
• Rights cleared video contents available
• Images available on request
• Interviews can be arranged with
1. Youth Climate leader – Elizabeth Wathuti, Keyna
2. Plastic Recycling Scientists – Dr Alice Banks (Imperial College), Dr Emma Bradley (Fera Science)
3. STEM education expert – Dr Holmes (BIEA)
4. Competition participants – aged 9-17

About BIEA
The British International Education Association exists to promote and export the best British educational practices overseas. BIEA is a not for profit organisation that works to promote STEM and early-year educational practices to overseas teachers and institutions. BIEA provides quality assurance programmes and setting education standards. BIEA also runs an International STEM Youth Innovation Competition which aims to promote STEM education and careers for young people all over the world. For more information, please visit www.biea.org.uk

About the BIEA International STEM Competition
This is an annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) competition open to primary and secondary school students divided into three age groups. The competition has been designed to encourage students from around the world to be able to meet and exchange their passion for STEM; pass on technological innovation and unique insight, and work together to create a truly global STEM community for the twenty-first century.

The competition has received worldwide media coverage including BBC, CNBC, News Week Junior, the Pie News etc


Attached Media


About British International Education Association

The British International Education Association exists to promote and export the best British educational practices overseas. BIEA is a not for profit organisation which works to promote STEM and early-years educational practices to overseas teachers and institutions. BIEA also runs the International STEM Youth Innovation Competition www.bieacompetition.org.uk which aims to promote STEM education and careers for young people all over the world. For more information, please visit www.biea.org.uk


Press Contacts