Call for Projects: KLESF International Challenge 2026
We invite students from Malaysia and overseas to showcase their STEM projects
to the public and be part of an exciting international platform.
Objective of competition
- To enhance school students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
- To unleash students’ innovative potential via their STEM projects.
- To promote students’ skills in problem solving, communication, thinking and innovation.
- To foster greater interaction for schools, educators, industries, public and private sectors to share information and experiences on projects in STEM.
- To promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students.
Competition Details:
Category:
Primary category (12 years old or below and currently attending in Primary or Pre-school)
Secondary category (13 – 18 years old and currently attending in Secondary School, including Pre-U institute)
Tertiary category (18 – 30 years old and currently attending in Tertiary Institute)
Selection and Competition Timeline:
Submission of project for onsite competition selection: 31 August 2026
Announcement of selected group for competition: 15 September 2026
- Confirmation of onsite attendance (for both all teams): 15 October 2026
- KLESF International Challenge Finals (Onsite competition): 14 November 2026 (Saturday)
Project Theme
Any Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics related project that addresses issues mentioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Participation
Team size (1 to 3 student presenters + 1 project mentor/teacher)
No registration fees are charged for Malaysian participation (Primary and Secondary) and onsite competition.
Malaysian Tertiary Category will be charged for RM 100 for onsite presentation.
International Team will be charged for USD 25 per team for onsite presentation.
- Organiser DOES NOT provide transport, meals and accommodation to all teams.
Project Summary
For KLESF International Challenge 2026, total numbers (to be confirmed) from three categories will be selected to participate in the KLESF International Challenge Finals held at MAEPS, Serdang on 14 November 2026, in-conjuction with Techlympic Malaysia 2026 (14 – 16 November 2026) in the same venue.
Submission:
- Project summary (Maximum 5 pages)
- Link to a 3 minutes video explaining the project.
- Example of project summary https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JQWFkVnN3Lo2QRdXlj2K5P4ZxGSmok-r_oI9NJ1ifsE/edit?usp=sharing
- Submission Link: https://forms.gle/h582gNkMqTaXi7Ku5
- International team will be directly invited to the Final, upon completion of registration and payment. Confirmation will be sent by the organiser.
Assessment Criteria for Project Summary
Relevance to STEM & SDGs (25%)
Project problem statement, aims, objectives and methodology (25%)
Originality & innovativeness (25%)
Project presentation and communication (25%)
KLESF International Challenge Finals (Onsite competition)
Only for the selected teams after evaluation is done on the project summary.
Each team is required to set up, exhibit on t4 November 2026 only. Details will be provided by the organiser through emails.
Onsite assessment will be conducted to select the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and merit winners.
Each participating team will be provided 1 info desk, 3 chairs and 1 electrical point.
Each team is responsible to bring other necessities for the setting up of its booth.
Each team is to exhibit its project at the assigned booth throughout the judging period regardless of assessment progress and status.
Assessment by judges will be carried out on 14 November 2026 only through interview and project presentation at the exhibition booth.
Hazardous (biological, chemical, and/or physical) products are prohibited to be displayed on the exhibition booth..
Assessment Criteria for KLESF International Challenge Final
Project execution and results (50%)
Quality & impact (25%)
Project presentation and communication (25%)