ChallengeON

Challenge Statement

How might students investigate real-world problems, apply scientific methodology, and develop evidence-based solutions that connect to UAE national priorities?

EYSC 2026 invites student teams to conduct original scientific research or engineering projects that address real-world questions and challenges. Your project must follow the scientific method — from identifying a problem and forming a hypothesis, through to experimentation, evidence gathering, analysis, and evidence-based conclusions.

This challenge encourages students to think like scientists: to be curious, rigorous, and creative — and to connect their scientific work to the needs of communities, industries, and national priorities in the UAE.

Scientific Categories

All projects must be submitted under one of the four official EYSC scientific categories. Projects are evaluated and awarded within their respective categories.

Category	Includes Sub-fields
Technology	Communications, electronic systems, robotics, computing, control technology, applications of technology, biotechnology, automation.
Biological and Ecological Sciences	Agriculture, anatomy, biochemistry, biotechnology, ecology, horticulture, physiology, medical science, veterinary science.
Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences	Chemistry, physics, mathematics, applied mathematics, geology, engineering, meteorology, astronomy.
Behavioral and Social Sciences	Economic, geographical, psychological, or sociological studies of human behaviour, nutrition, political science.

If a project spans multiple categories, the primary research focus and methodology should determine the classification. The EYSC technical committee may reclassify a project if the selected category is inconsistent with the project content.

Teams are encouraged to incorporate advanced technology elements where relevant, including modern tools, data analysis techniques, digital methods, AI-enabled approaches, or technology-driven applications across all scientific categories.

Background of the Challenge

The UAE Ministry of Education (MOE), in collaboration with ATRC, seeks to inspire and develop the next generation of scientific talent across the UAE. EYSC addresses a critical national need: fostering scientific thinking, research skills, and innovation capability among school students from Grade 5 through Grade 12.

While science education continues to grow in UAE schools, there remains a significant opportunity to go beyond the classroom — to give students a national platform where they can apply scientific methodology to investigate real problems, connect their work to UAE priorities, and present findings to a professional scientific community. EYSC bridges that gap.

Solution Expectations

Student projects should demonstrate:

A clear scientific methodology, including a research question or engineering goal, hypothesis, experimental procedure, results, analysis, and conclusion
Original work conducted within the current academic year (or documented improvements to prior work)
Assignment to one of the four official scientific categories
Relevance to real-world problems or UAE national priorities
Use of modern tools, data analysis, or technology-driven approaches where applicable

Note: Projects involving human subjects, animals, biological materials, chemicals, or hazardous materials must declare this during registration and comply with UAE regulations and EYSC safety requirements.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	Weight	Notes
Scientific Methodology	35%	Core filter. Projects without a solid methodology may be disqualified or fail to progress.
Originality, Creativity & Relevance to National Priorities	30%	Assesses originality, innovation, and connection to relevant national or scientific challenges.
Feasibility and Practical Applicability	25%	Assesses whether the project can be executed by students and whether it has practical or research value.
Quality of Documentation and Presentation	10%	Assesses clarity, completeness, organisation, and communication quality.

Competition Tiers

Competition Tier	Eligible Grades
Intermediate Level	Grades 5–8
Senior Level	Grades 9–12 (may be considered for selected international competition pathways)

Code of Conduct

All submitted work must be the students' own original research. Students must be prepared to explain and defend their projects during judging sessions. Plagiarism, fabricated data, or false information submitted by any team member or supervisor will result in disqualification.

Supervisors are responsible for verifying the accuracy and originality of all submitted work. Schools are encouraged to conduct internal science fairs or review processes before submitting to EYSC. Supervisors may guide students but must not conduct or write the project on their behalf.

Violations of the code of conduct may result in disqualification, suspension from future editions of EYSC, or other consequences determined by the organising committee.

Emirates Young Scientist Competition 2026

The competition invites UAE students from Grade 5 to Grade 12 to present their scientific projects across 4 categories with finals at NSTI Festival