STEAM Champions UAE 2026/2027
Circular Futures
Reimagining Resources for a Sustainable Tomorrow
A national UAE student innovation initiative in AI, robotics, drones, circular design and creative storytelling.
- 3 categories
- 12 competition options
- KG–Grade 12 · Ages 4–18
- Registration open now
The 2026/2027 season at a glance
Everything a school coordinator needs before reading any detail.
Fees are confirmed by the STEAM Champions team during registration.
Choose your competition
Every student enters one competition option, chosen from three categories.
5 options in AI, Robotics & Drones4 options in Innovation & Venture3 options in Circular Stories
Answer three questions
We will only show you what the student can actually enter. Grade and age eligibility are applied before any interest matching, so an ineligible competition is never recommended.
All 12 competition options
Eligibility and team size are shown on every row. Open a row only when you need the full rules, judging basis and resources.
Category 1 · Powered by ENJOY AI
AI, Robotics & Drones
Build, code and compete with intelligent machines — robotics missions, drone challenges and autonomous problem solving.
5 competition options · KG–Grade 9
Lane rule. Grade 3–6 robotics lane choice: a student enters either Mining Expedition — Rookie Lane or ENJOY AI Senior — Inventions Trail. Not both.
ENJOY AI Junior — Ancient CivilizationsPowered by ENJOY AIEligible
KG–Grade 2Team
Exactly 2 students
Official ENJOY AI Junior section.
Young competitors build and program a robot to complete the Ancient Civilizations mission on the official competition environment, developing construction confidence, sequencing, problem solving and teamwork.
Current official ENJOY AI section rules and mission scoring.
Mining Expedition — Rookie LanePowered by ENJOY AIEligible
Grade 3–Grade 6Team
Exactly 2 students
Rookie Lane.
An entry pathway into competitive robotics for Grade 3–6 students. Teams build and program their robot to solve the official Mining Expedition mission.
Lane rule. Grade 3–6 robotics lane choice: a student enters either Mining Expedition — Rookie Lane or ENJOY AI Senior — Inventions Trail. Not both.
Current official Mining Expedition rules and mission scoring.
ENJOY AI Senior — Inventions TrailPowered by ENJOY AIEligible
Grade 3–Grade 6Team
Exactly 2 students
Advanced Lane.
The advanced Grade 3–6 robotics pathway. Teams use robotics, programming and strategic problem solving to complete the official Inventions Trail mission.
Lane rule. Grade 3–6 robotics lane choice: a student enters either Mining Expedition — Rookie Lane or ENJOY AI Senior — Inventions Trail. Not both.
Current official ENJOY AI section rules and mission scoring.
Drone Cup — Drone SoccerPowered by ENJOY AIEligible
Grade 1–Grade 6Team
Exactly 2 students
Teams develop drone-control skills, teamwork and tactical awareness in the official Drone Soccer competition environment.
Current official Drone Soccer rules.
Skyline AdventuresPowered by ENJOY AIEligible
Grade 7–Grade 9Team
1 student
Open to Grades 7–9 under the STEAM Champions UAE 2026/2027 routing while official division clarification is pending.
An individual drone pathway for Grades 7–9, focused on flight skill, mission strategy and precise performance under the official competition rules.
Current official Skyline Adventures section rules and mission scoring.
Technical requirements follow the current official section rules published in Rules & Resources.
Category 2
Circular Futures Innovation & Venture Challenge
Design, build and pitch real solutions for a circular, resource-responsible world.
4 competition options · KG–Grade 12
Junior Circular BuildersEligible
KG–Grade 2Team
1–4 students
STEAM Champions original track.
Students create a genuinely functional build made mainly from reused or recycled materials, supported by a simple age-appropriate technology feature such as a motor, light, buzzer, simple sensor, basic coding or automation. The challenge brief is announced in advance.
STEAM Champions Junior Circular Builders rubric (100 points).
- Circular Problem & Purpose 15
- Use of Reused / Recycled Materials 15
- Working Function 25
- Simple Technology / AI Integration 15
- Creativity & Resourcefulness 15
- Teamwork & Student Ownership 5
- Show-and-Tell Presentation 10
AI is not mandatory. Learning logic: material → problem → build → technology → working solution.
Optional competition resources. Purchasing an EduStream kit is not required for eligibility and does not affect judging.
Technovation Digital VentureEligible
Beginner ages 8–12 · Junior ages 13–15 · Senior ages 16–18Team
1–4 students
Teams create an app, web solution, AI solution or digital venture addressing a Circular Futures / SDG 12 challenge.
- Beginner Ages 8–12
- Junior Ages 13–15
- Senior Ages 16–18
Official Technovation rubric for the relevant division.
Optional competition resources. Purchasing an EduStream kit is not required for eligibility and does not affect judging.
RegisterView official track guidanceView competition resources
FIRA Innovation & BusinessEligible
U14 ages 8–13 (Grades 3–8) · U19 ages 14–18 (Grades 9–12)Team
1–4 students
Teams create a robotics, AI, automation or technology innovation with demonstrated function and a business / market model. The project must connect to Circular Futures / SDG 12.
- U14 Ages 8–13 · Grades 3–8
- U19 Ages 14–18 · Grades 9–12
Judged under the current official FIRA Innovation & Business rulebook and score sheet published in the Resource Hub.
Optional competition resources. Purchasing an EduStream kit is not required for eligibility and does not affect judging.
FIRA Mission ImpossibleEligible
U14 ages 8–13 (Grades 3–8) · U19 ages 14–18 (Grades 9–12)Team
1–4 students
One-day live competition in the UAE.
A one-day rapid engineering challenge where teams receive a mission, work with controlled materials and robotics resources, build or program a solution and test it under the competition rules.
- U14 Ages 8–13 · Grades 3–8
- U19 Ages 14–18 · Grades 9–12
Mission-specific performance scoring. At the competition the referee announces the mission, scoring formula, permitted and restricted materials and tools, special restrictions and the construction period.
Training resources help teams practise the skills used in Mission Impossible. The exact permitted materials and scoring formula for the live mission are announced by competition officials under the event rules.
Optional competition resources. Purchasing an EduStream kit is not required for eligibility and does not affect judging.
Category 3 · International creative pathway with IGO
Circular Stories Creative Challenge
Tell powerful Circular Futures stories through film, photography and art.
3 competition options · Ages 10–18
Short FilmInternational creative pathway with IGOEligible
Ages 10–18Team
1–4 students
Student-created short film communicating a Circular Futures / SDG 12 idea through original storytelling.
Judged under the current official Circular Stories Creative Challenge brief and rules published in the Resource Hub.
- Student authorship and originality
- Consent required where people appear
- Technical and submission specification published in the Resource Hub
AI-generated final creative work is not accepted unless explicitly approved by a current rules revision.
PhotographyInternational creative pathway with IGOEligible
Ages 10–18Team
1–4 students
Original student photography that changes how people see resources, consumption, waste, reuse or repair.
Judged under the current official Circular Stories Creative Challenge brief and rules published in the Resource Hub.
- Student-created, original work
- Consent required where people appear
- Ethical photography guidance and submission guidance in the Resource Hub
AI-generated final creative work is not accepted unless explicitly approved by a current rules revision.
ArtInternational creative pathway with IGOEligible
Ages 10–18Team
1–4 students
Original student-created 2D or 3D artwork communicating a Circular Futures / SDG 12 idea.
Judged under the current official Circular Stories Creative Challenge brief and rules published in the Resource Hub.
- Student authorship and originality
- Materials and exhibition guidance in the Resource Hub
- Submission specification published in the Resource Hub
AI-generated final creative work is not accepted unless explicitly approved by a current rules revision.
AI-generated final creative work is not accepted unless explicitly approved by a current rules revision.
How it works
Six stages from choosing an option to the National Championship.
Choose one competition option
Use Find my competition, or compare the 12 options above. Each student enters one option only.
Register your team
Submit one form per school or organisation. The STEAM Champions team then confirms eligibility, team details, fees, deadlines and next steps with you.
Complete the learning journey
Each student completes 10 focused modules: 4 Foundation, 3 Age Pathway and 3 Competition Pathway modules.
Build and document
One Engineering Notebook per team records idea development, research, sketches, design decisions, testing and iteration. One Digital Passport per student records the participation journey, completed learning, stamps and milestones.
Qualify online
Upload the completed Engineering Notebook by 20 February 2027. Qualification is an eligibility and compliance check only — it is not judging, preliminary scoring or ranking.
Compete
The international online judging panel is held on 13 March 2027 where applicable to the option entered. The National Championship & Expo takes place in Dubai on 20 March 2027.
International pathways run June–December 2027. International opportunities are subject to the rules, schedules, qualification requirements, available places and final confirmation of each international competition partner.
Who is it for?
STEAM Champions UAE is not open only through schools. Independent, family, club and online division teams are all current participation routes.
Students
- Real-world problem solving in AI, robotics and design
- A national platform and international pathways
- Confidence, teamwork and presentation skills
- A documented portfolio of innovation
Schools
- A structured, curriculum-aligned innovation programme
- Recognition at the National Championship & Expo
- Teacher capacity-building and resources
- A visible commitment to sustainability and STEAM
Teachers and coaches
- Level 1 Coach Certification and training
- Ready-to-use learning modules and resources
- Mentoring support throughout the season
- Professional recognition and a coaching community
Four ways to register
Independent and family teams
For students taking part outside a school entry, registered by a parent or guardian.
Register →Online division teams
For eligible students and teams joining through the worldwide online pathway.
Register →Why participate?
Recognition, pathways and evidence of learning — stated only as currently published.
Global participation: UAE students have taken part in international competitions through recognised pathways.
Key dates
- 1 September 2026 – 31 October 2026Registration open nowRegistration for the 2026/2027 season is currently open.
- 20 February 2027Online qualification deadlineEach registered student completes the 10-module learning journey and the team uploads its completed Engineering Notebook. This is an eligibility and compliance check only.
- 13 March 2027International online judging panelHeld online where applicable to the competition option entered.
- 20 March 2027National Championship & Expo, Dubai — venue to be confirmedSTEAM Champions UAE National Championship & Expo.
- June–December 2027International pathwaysSubject to the rules, schedules, qualification requirements, available places and final confirmation of each international competition partner.
National Championship & Expo zones8 zonesLocation: DubaiVenue to be confirmed
- ENJOY AI Competition Zone
- Junior Circular Builders Zone
- Technovation Digital Venture Zone
- FIRA Innovation & Business Pavilion / Stage
- FIRA Mission Impossible Arena
- Circular Stories Gallery
- Central Stage
- Expo & Partner Zone
Rules, resources and supporting pages
This page is for orientation and decisions. Full documentation is published on the supporting pages.
What a coordinator needs to do next
Decide which students and grades you want to enter
Eligibility is applied by grade and age before anything else.
Confirm which options they are eligible for
Use Find my competition, or read the eligibility line on each of the 12 option rows.
Register the school, club or organisation
Submit one form per school or organisation. The STEAM Champions team confirms eligibility, team details, fees and deadlines.
Assign a coach and complete Level 1 Coach Certification
Level 1 is mandatory, free and delivered online for participating coaches, and includes an EduStream certificate.
The STEAM Champions Experience
A look at STEAM Champions UAE in action — students, teams and coaches across previous editions of the competition.
Voices from STEAM Champions UAE
Hear directly from the community
Videos are hosted on the EduStream YouTube channel and load only when you press play.
Ready to start your team’s story?
Join schools, coaches and students across the UAE for STEAM Champions 2026/2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STEAM Champions UAE?
A student STEAM competition journey combining learning, building, evidence and presentation.
What is the 2026/2027 theme?
Circular Futures: Reimagining Resources for a Sustainable Tomorrow, aligned with UN SDG 12.
Who can participate?
UAE schools are the primary route. Eligible students and teams worldwide may enter through the Global Online Division, subject to rules and capacity.
What are the three categories?
AI, Robotics & Drones; Circular Futures Innovation & Venture Challenge; and Circular Stories Creative Challenge.
How does the 4-3-3 Learning Journey work?
Each student completes 10 focused modules: 4 Foundation, 3 Age Pathway and 3 Competition Pathway modules.
When are events?
Online qualification closes on 20 February 2027. The international online judging panel is held on 13 March 2027 where applicable, and the STEAM Champions UAE National Championship & Expo takes place in Dubai on 20 March 2027.
How do I register?
Complete the registration form on this page. The STEAM Champions team will confirm eligibility, fees, deadlines, team details and the next steps directly with you.
Is Coach Certification required?
Level 1 Coach Certification is mandatory, free and delivered online for participating coaches.
Start Your Registration
Submit one form per school or organisation. Our team will contact you to complete the registration process.
Find the right competition for your students
Answer three questions and only the options your students can actually enter are shown. The STEAM Champions team then confirms eligibility, team details, fees and deadlines with you.
