catalyst competitions

Get set for the 2024 CATALYST Competitions: show us what you’ve got! With two age categories, students have the chance to spotlight important figures in STEM or share their solutions for global issues. There are big prizes up for grabs (£500 and a place at CATALYST!), so read on to see where you fit and how to enter.

Ages: 10-17
Entries close: Monday 6th May at 11.59pm (UK time)

Competition Categories

  • Celebrating Women in STEM (ages 10-13)

    Part A: Design a poster that pays tribute to a woman in STEM whose contributions have made a significant impact. Your poster should capture her spirit, achievements, and the mark she’s made on the world. Feel free to use digital tools or simply draw by hand. If drawing by hand, please provide a high-quality photo of your artwork.

    Part B: In 100-200 words, tell us the story behind your choice. What sparked your interest in her story? Share your inspiration and let us know why she stands out to you as a STEM hero.

  • Future Change-Makers (ages 14-17)

    Part A: Grab your camera and step into the spotlight with a 3-5 minute TED-style talk. We want to hear about a global issue you’re passionate about and why it matters. Remember, authenticity trumps perfection; we’re looking for clear, genuine presentations, no Hollywood effects needed.

    Part B: Now, put on your problem-solver hat and draft a 300-500 word proposal that tackles this issue. How would you approach it? What innovative solutions are you envisioning? Show us your vision for a better tomorrow.

Enter now

The prizes

First Place: £500, a coveted spot in either CATALYST Foundations or Horizons, and a feature on the CATALYST website.

Runner-up: £250 plus a feature on the website.

Bragging rights? Absolutely.

Judging

A committee including Justin Pinnells (Academic Director, CATALYST), Elizabeth Stone (Headmaster, Winchester College), Ross McGill (@teachertoolkit), and Emma Greenwood (climate activist & CATALYST alum) will select the winners.

Rules & guidelines

  • Open to all boys and girls aged 10-17, worldwide. Only one entry per participant is permitted, and the work must be original.

  • All submissions should be in English, adhere to the specified word limits, and reflect the participant's original thought and creativity.

  • The submission deadline is May 6th at 11:59 PM (UK time).

  • For our ‘Celebrating Women in STEM’ competition (ages 10-13), a parent or guardian's email is required for submission.

  • By entering the competition, you allow CATALYST to use your submission for marketing purposes, such as social media, our website, and other promotional content, without any fee. You retain the right to use your entry for any other purposes outside of this competition.

  • Queries? Reach out to ks@wincoll.ac.uk for assistance.

Why enter?

This isn’t just about prizes (though they are pretty great); it’s about making a statement, challenging yourself, and adding to your academic profile.

Applying to catalyst

If these challenges spark something in you, why stop here? Apply to our summer programmes and dive deeper into topics and questions just like these. Winners who have already enrolled will be reimbursed for any programme fees paid. But hurry, spaces are limited and fill up quickly, so apply early.

Financial assistance is available on a case-by-case basis for all CATALYST programmes.

key dates

Monday 6th May

Deadline for entries (11.59pm UK time) and voting opens

Early june

Winners announced