Climate Solutions Challenge 2025
We asked young innovators how to turn a “what if” into a “what is”.
The Climate Solutions Challenge: Engineering a Water-Secure Future was their chance to explore, experiment, and discover the power of their ideas. Students joined us for a journey of:
Why water
Access to clean water remains a critical challenge in the Western Region. Community members rely on salty well water or contaminated lake water, leading to waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. This unsafe water poses serious health risks, particularly to children and the elderly.
The lack of clean water affects health, education, and economic productivity in the community, creating a cycle of hardship that requires targeted intervention specific to each community’s unique water challenges.
The question we put to studentsHow can we develop innovative solutions to ensure safe and reliable water access for households in our communities?
Engineering a Water-Secure Future
The 2025 challenge invited teams to develop innovative, sustainable solutions addressing the water crisis in most parts of western Kenya through STEM applications. Students researched and created practical, cost-effective projects, for example on water conservation, sustainable water management, and water filtration and purification, using Arduino (IoT), AI, or 3D printing technologies.
Participants were encouraged to apply scientific principles creatively to design solutions with lasting impact that extend beyond immediate needs. The initiative aimed to simultaneously combat water insecurity and promote STEM education, working toward a future where all households have access to safe, sustainable water.
Projects requiring unsupported technologies, such as chemical treatments or complex IoT networks beyond Arduino, were not eligible for the program.
Arduino
For automation, water quality monitoring, and control systems.
3D printing
For prototyping water filtration, distribution systems, and other structural solutions.
Artificial intelligence
For data analysis, prediction models, and intelligent water management.
Scratch
Teams could also build their ideas with Scratch programming and explore other options.
What each team set out to do
Each team’s mission was to research and share creative ideas and sustainable solutions for cost-effective projects focused on water conservation, sustainable water management, and water filtration and purification, integrating either Arduino (IoT), AI, or 3D printing technologies.
Teams of 4 to 6 studentsWhat participants gained
Participating students and teachers contributed to solving a real-world problem and gained valuable skills in cutting-edge technologies. To support students on this journey, we organized a STEM mentorship session for selected teams, where participants received guidance and training on how to use these technologies effectively.
Students also had the opportunity to attend our STEM Camp in April, where they presented their projects to a panel of judges and peers. The camp was a platform for students to showcase their creativity, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and gain inspiration from experts in the field.
How the challenge unfolded
Idea submission
Teams submitted their ideas for the challenge.
Deadline for final submission
Team selection and start of mentorship
Student teams were selected based on their ideas and mentorship began. Teachers were trained on IoT, Scratch, Arduino and 3D printing.
Week 1 boot camp
Mentorship on integrating technology, such as IoT, Scratch and Arduino, into the ideas shared, and on innovation design.
Week 2 boot camp
Teams presented their projects and the winners were awarded.
Three categories of young innovators
What each team submitted
Team information
- Team name
- School name
- Division
- Team members (4 to 6 students)
- Teacher or mentor name
Project summary
- Project title
- A clear problem statement specific to their community’s water challenge
- Proposed solution
- Technology integration: Arduino/IoT, AI, or 3D printing
- Expected impact on the community
Technical specifications
- Materials needed
- Technology components required
- A basic design sketch or diagram, photographed and uploaded
- Estimated budget
How ideas were judged
Submissions were assessed on the following eight criteria.
Alignment
Did the team really understand their community’s water problem, and did the solution solve the right problem for that community?
Potential for impact
How much would the solution help the team and their community? Would it make a big difference in people’s lives?
Feasibility
Could the idea actually be built and used in the community?
Innovative approach
Did the solution use technology in a new way, or combine different ideas to create something unique?
Human-centered design
Was the solution easy to use for people of all ages and abilities?
Scalability
Could the idea help more people in the future, and be used in other places with similar problems?
Technical feasibility
Did the technology in the solution work well? Did the team use the right science and engineering?
Presentation and clarity
How effectively was the idea communicated?
Recognising the winners
Awards were presented in each division, and included:
Post-competition support
Further development of the winning ideas.
Teacher and mentor support
Support resources for the teachers and mentors behind each team.