Challenging STEM students to make sports events more circular

Article was originally published June 9, 2023.

Sci-Tech Challenge

Every year, ExxonMobil and Junior Achievement (JA) Europe host the Sci-Tech Challenge. The event aims to inspire students across Europe to consider a future in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  

The Challenge sees participants use their STEM skills to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. This year, they were asked to come up with ideas for how to reduce waste at a major sporting event. Students from Belgium, Cyprus, Hungary, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic met in Brussels, forming teams on arrival and collaborating and competing over two days.  

The jury – which included representatives of ExxonMobil, the European Commission and the packaging industry – praised the solutions the teams presented. Jury chairman Nikolaas Baeckelmans, VP of EU Affairs at ExxonMobil, commended the winners on their “innovative, applicable, realistic and feasible” concept. The team proposed deploying artificial intelligence for waste collection. In doing so, they “used the occasion to showcase solutions that could be implemented at large-scale events around the world,” Nikolaas added. 

“I’ve learned many, many things,” said Nikolaos, a member of the winning team. “To hear out my teammates, embrace their ideas and be passionate about what we’re doing. I think teamwork is the most important thing the Sci-Tech Challenge has to offer.” 

“You can’t just come up with a regular solution,” added Sarah, another competitor. “You have to think outside the box, and that stimulates your creativity.” Diana Filip, deputy CEO of JA Europe, explained that during the 14 years her organization has collaborated with ExxonMobil on the Sci-Tech Challenge, it’s had “a tremendous impact on young people”.  

Find out more about this year’s competition in the film below.