School Holidays Innovation Challenge July 2026

A future-skills program for employees’ children

Available during the VIC and NSW school holidays (see dates below), the BrainSTEM School Holiday Innovation Challenge is a one-day program for children aged 10–14.

Each day is designed for 15–30 participants, creating the right balance of teamwork, interaction and support.

Adapted from BrainSTEM’s proven SDG Schools Challenge, delivered with schools including Ivanhoe Grammar, Carey Grammar, Mentone Grammar and Bialik College, this program brings a school-tested innovation model into the corporate setting for employees and their families.

Students work in teams to solve a real-world challenge, use design thinking, build LEGO prototypes and pitch their ideas.

Why host this program?

This is a practical way to support employees, engage staff and create visible social impact.

For many students, especially those from government schools or low-SES communities, access to high-quality STEM and innovation programs can be limited by cost, opportunity or resources. Hosting this program helps open that experience to more families.

Hosting the program helps your organisation:

Support working parents during the school holidays
Offer a meaningful family engagement initiative
Create volunteering opportunities for staff
Engage graduates and emerging leaders as mentors and role models
Strengthen employee connection, pride and purpose
Support CSR, ESG and community impact goals
Help inspire the next generation of STEM thinkers and problem-solvers

What students will do

Students will:

Explore a real-world challenge linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Work in teams using BrainSTEM’s design thinking framework
Generate ideas and develop solutions
Build LEGO prototypes
Practise teamwork, communication and problem-solving
Pitch their ideas at the end of the day

Skills students will build

Critical thinking
Problem-solving
Creativity
Teamwork
Collaboration
Communication
Public speaking
Presentation skills
Confidence

Program options

BrainSTEM ACTIVATE

A ready-to-run BrainSTEM-designed program that your organisation hosts and promotes internally.

Best suited for organisations wanting a simple, high-quality employee family engagement initiative with minimal planning.

Includes:

BrainSTEM-selected challenge theme
Program structure, facilitation and materials
Optional staff involvement
Internal promotion by the host organisation
One-day delivery with optional multiple-day hosting
Different challenge themes available for different days

BrainSTEM CO-DESIGN

A more flexible program co-designed with your organisation.

Best suited for organisations wanting stronger alignment with their brand, sector, values, staff engagement or social impact priorities.

Includes:

Co-branded program with BrainSTEM and the host organisation
Opportunity to shape the challenge theme or topic
Greater flexibility in program design
Stronger alignment with CSR, ESG, community impact or innovation goals
Greater staff involvement as panellists, mentors, judges or volunteers
Option to connect the challenge to your organisation’s work or community priorities
One-day delivery, with the option to host across multiple days

Program Dates:

Melbourne, VIC: 6-10 July (all dates inclusive)
Sydney, NSW: 13-17 July (all dates inclusive)

School Holidays Innovation
Challenge July 2026