Schools
Competition
At AKU we believe in active engagement on local and global issues. Climate change is one such global challenge that requires every single person in the world to take action. And we can! We also believe that we can working together on a challenge brings forward more ideas and more opportunities. Fostering critical thinking, active engagement, and co-creation are just some of the goals we hope to share beyond the walls of AKU.
Hence, for the third year, we are inviting schools in Karachi to participate in the Schools Competition as part of the AKU President's Challenge for Climate Solutions!
For the first time, we are inviting schools in Dar es Salaam, Kampala, and Nairobi to join the Competition!
By participating in climate change ideation, school/high school students gain valuable insights into environmental issues' science and policy aspects and learn to advocate for change. This sets them on a path to become influential advocates for a greener and more resilient world. Ultimately, their active involvement today is key to preserving the planet for future generations.
Read on below on the process, teams, and criteria. Prizes for winning teams may include recognition for the winning schools and student groups, such as books, AKU merchandise and others. All teams participating in the pitch day will receive certificates.
Process
| Karachi | Nairobi | Dar es Salam | Kampala |
| Schools/high schools to receive an e-invitation and an online nomination form via email | End of September 2024
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An online awareness session for school students (Interested students and teachers will be invited to attend a 90-minute climate awareness session online) | October 2024
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Deadline to submit nominations (Schools will determine the process of internal selection and group formation. Each school/college can nominate only one group/team. The registration is generally sent to school officials, i.e., Principals and heads.) Note: If you are a school/high school in any of the cities where AKU operates, i.e. Karachi, Nairobi, Dares Salam, and Kampala, and want to participate in the Challenge and have not received an invitation, please write to us at climate.challenge@aku.edu | 15 November 2024
| 29 November 2024
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| Sifting of nominations | November 2024
| December 2024 / January 2025
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On-campus Pitch Presentations ( Pitch Day - Selected school groups will be invited to present their pitches to a panel of experts at AKU Campuses) | Mid of January 2025
| February 2025 |
Closing Ceremony (Winning Teams with a principal/tutor/teacher will be invited to join the final closing ceremony of the President's Challenge for Climate Solution at the AKU campuses, to be recognised and awarded alongside AKU winning teams) | March 2025
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About the team, idea and criteria
Team
- Teams may consist of 3 to 4 students.
- Students must be enrolled in A-levels/Intermediate, O-level/Matric, or equivalent grades.
- A teacher or tutor may support the students in guiding their thinking, however, would not be part of the pitch presentation.
Idea and pitch
- Ideas are to be relevant to the students, their role in society and abilities to influence/promote change.
- Ideas must address climate change as well as this year's theme
- The pitch presentations must be no longer than three (3) minutes.
- For nominations, a 200-word summary must be submitted.
- During the pitch, the team may use up to six (6) PPT slides, as well as a physical representation (e.g. poster or model), if desired.
- All team members should be present and speaking during the pitch.
- A muti-disciplinary team of judges from AKU and beyond will be engaging with the invited teams to further learning, engagement, and exchange of ideas.
Criteria – the pitches will be judged in the following criteria
- Relevance to climate change and to the year's theme
- Relevance to the scope of influence (i.e. what high school students can influence)
- Feasibility and impact potential of the proposed idea
- Innovativeness and uniqueness of the proposed idea
- Presentation quality and level of engagement
