STEM Education Innovation Competition @ IE2C 2026

A flagship competition of the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Innovation, Ethics & Emerging Tech in Engineering and Computing Education (IE2C2026), The IE²C Innovation Challenge welcomes participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds—ranging from engineering, computing, and applied sciences to education, policy, and social sciences. This competition aims to identify innovative solutions that leverage emerging technologies while addressing ethical, societal, and educational challenges.

Participants may propose solutions that involve intelligent electronics, embedded systems, IoT, AI, robotics, digitalisation, sustainable energy, simulation platforms, and other technical innovations. Equally encouraged are innovations that explore the social impact of technology, responsible AI, inclusive design, behavioural insights, education transformation, and digital accessibility.

Whether technical or conceptual, hardware, software, system, impact study, or human-centred, this competition values ideas that solve real-world problems through innovation, ethics, and purpose-driven design.

(Note: Accepted extended abstracts will be published in the official IE²C Innovation Challenge 2026 Abstract Proceedings with an ISBN.)

Registration Open: 1st February 2025

Extended Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 March 2025

Video Submission Deadline: 15  April  2026

Project Evaluation: 16 April – 15 May 2026

Closing Ceremony & Results: 15 June 2026

Best Award Ceremony: 25 July 2026

Track A: Science & Technology

The Science & Technology track highlights innovative, application-driven solutions that leverage engineering, computing, and emerging technologies to address real-world challenges ethically and sustainably. 

• Smart & Intelligent Electronics

• Embedded, Robotics, Digitalisation & IoT Solutions

• Semiconductor & Nano Tech Innovations

• Sustainability & Green Technology

• Humanitarian & Ethical Technology

• AR/VR & Simulation-Based  Tools for Various Applications

• Interdisciplinary Engineering Solutions

• Other related field

Track B: Science Social 

The Science Social track explores the societal, behavioral, ethical, and policy dimensions of science and technology, examining how innovations influence individuals, communities, and social systems. 

• Ethical frameworks for AI in healthcare, agricultural.

• Technology acceptance and behavioural studies

• Gender and accessibility gaps in engineering education

• Social impact assessments of IoT/automation deployment

• Digital inclusion and equitable access to emerging technologies

• Policy design or governance for emerging technologies

• Other related field

Track C: Innovation in Teaching & Learning Track

The Innovation in Teaching & Learning track showcases novel, ethical, and inclusive approaches that enhance how education is designed, delivered, and experienced. 

• Innovative pedagogical approaches 

• Technology-enhanced Teaching & Learning

• Assessment & feedback innovation

• Inclusive & special education innovation

• STEM education innovation

• Ethics & Responsible use of educational technology

• Sustainability & societal impact in education

Category 1 - School (Primary & Secondary)

1ST - Science & Technology

1SS - Science Social

Category 2 - Higher Education Institution (Student)

2ST - Science & Technology

2SS - Science Social

Category 3 - Professional (Non-Student, i.e. Teachers, Lecturers, Industries, NGOs etc)

3ST - Science & Technology

3SS - Science Social

3TL - Innovation in Teaching & Learning