Symphony Contest-4th｜一般社団法人steAm BAND

STEAM Symphony Contest

The steAm BAND STEAM Symphony Contest is a contest that values conversations with experts from a wide range of fields.

Unlike traditional competitions that mainly judge completed projects and select winners, this is a collaborative contest where you can take part even if you have not yet decided what you want to submit, or if you are interested in something but are not sure how to turn your questions into research.

By meeting and talking with experts in fields that interest you, you can expand your curiosity, develop your creativity, and discover new ways to explore your ideas.

We hope these experiences will become something valuable for you while also leading to new ideas and positive change in society.

Japan National Selection for ICIA 2027

The 4th steAm BAND STEAM Symphony Contest also serves as Japan’s national selection for the International Creativity and Innovation Award (ICIA) 2027.

ICIA is an international learning platform connected with the United Nations’ World Creativity and Innovation Day. Through competitions that combine online and in-person participation, as well as collaborative activities, ICIA aims to foster creativity and innovation among young people.

If you advance to the Final Round and meet ICIA’s age and category requirements, you will be recommended to represent Japan at the ICIA 2027 Global Round in Indonesia.
This applies only to projects and participants that meet ICIA’s age and category requirements.

ICIA Categories

1. Inventor Wannabe
Ages 6–12
*The 2026 competition was held online.

2. Innovation Challenge
Ages 9–17
*A challenge theme is provided.

3. Innovation Award
Ages 9–17
*Open theme.

The theme for the Innovation Challenge changes each year.

For ICIA 2027, the following challenges have been presented by Ignasius Jonan, former Minister of Transportation and former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia.

Theme: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Air Pollution
Think of cleaner systems and ways to reduce emissions.

Water Pollution
Explore ways to protect water resources and create sustainable water treatment solutions.

Soil Pollution
Explore ways to restore healthy land and promote sustainable waste management.

See the latest ICIA updates here.
We look forward to welcoming many of you!

Contest Process

About Mentoring

This contest offers an opportunity to speak with experts across various fields.
We will provide details regarding the schedule at a later date.
To begin, please submit your entry via LINE.

Dates
・October 3 (Sat) [Deadline: September 28 (Mon)]
・October 20 (Tue) [Deadline: October 13 (Tue)]
・November 15 (Sun) [Deadline: November 5 (Thu)]
・November 25 (Wed) [Deadline: November 18 (Wed)]

*Your family members, friends, teachers, and others are welcome to join the mentoring session with you.
*Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend booking early.
*All mentoring sessions are held online.
*`You may book up to two mentoring sessions.

Contest Outline

Categories	Art and Philosophy: Artists and Philosophers Including Liberal Arts Basic Research: Researchers (Scientists and Mathematicians) Problem Solving: Inventors, Entrepreneurs and Engineers Applicants are encouraged to: - come up with new and original ideas. - describe the science, mathematics, and technology behind the idea. - show prototypes of some kind. - share your ideas toward an inclusive and diverse society. Please select one category for entry.
Registration Fee	free
Eligibility	Pre-school, elementary school, junior high school and high school students, and seniors (60 years old and older) Applicants from Japan and abroad are welcome. You may apply individually or as a team. *If your team includes members from different schools or organizations, please apply under the affiliation of the primary participant.
Information Session	Thursday, July 2, 16:30–17:30 *If you would like to watch a recording of the session, please register using the form below. https://steam21.wufoo.com/forms/steamsymphonycontest/
Mentoring Schedule	Booking Opens : Thursday, September 24, at 12:00 PM (Noon) Mentoring Schedule Oct 3 (Sat) 10:00–12:00 Oct 20 (Tue) 19:00–21:00 Nov 15 (Sun) 9:00–11:00 Nov 25 (Wed) 19:00–21:00 Book a Mentoring Session https://steam21.wufoo.com/forms/steammentoring/ Please also complete your contest entry separately. Before booking a mentoring session, please read the Mentoring Guide. Please complete the Mentoring Sheet* included in the guide and email it to the Secretariat at steamband@steam21.com at least three business days before your mentoring session. Download Mentoring Guidelines
How to Enter the First Round	Please add the official LINE account below as a friend and submit your entry through LINE. https://line.me/ti/p/%40245ocvzo Please add the official LINE account below as a friend and submit your entry through LINE. https://line.me/ti/p/%40245ocvzo If you cannot register through LINE, please complete the Google Form below and send your video file to the email address listed below. Google Form : https://forms.gle/96WvMti3ks9uiima6 Email : steamband@steam21.com [For Parents and Guardians] As part of efforts to help young people use LINE safely and securely, the recommended minimum age for using LINE has been raised to 12. If you are under 12, please ask your parent or guardian to add the LINE account and register on your behalf.
First-Round Screening	Create a video of up to three minutes and submit it by: 11:59 PM on Monday, December 14 After adding the official LINE account and completing your entry, please submit your video through LINE. The video should include the following elements, in any order: self-introduction and project theme motivation, passion, and purpose background and previous research Please cite sources clearly. Plagiarism is not permitted. concept exploration process results and analysis conclusions reflections and thoughts prototypes or artworks, if applicable Slides may be used. Please focus primarily on original ideas and exploration. *Any presentation format is welcome.
Awards	・Grand Prize ・Jury Awards The results will be announced on the contest website. Award recipients will also be notified by email.
Final Round	Date: Sunday, February 28, 2027 (tentative) Venue: Osaka University Nakanoshima Center (tentative) Format: Hybrid, in person and online
Judges (tentative)	Juichi Yamagiwa Research Institute for Humanity and Nature Kan Suzuki University of Tokyo Professor, General Corporation steAm BAND Executive Chariman Sachiko Nakajima steAm Inc. CEO, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Thematic Project Producer, General Corporation steAm BAND Representative Director Tetsuo Kobori Tetsuo Kobori Architects Inc. Representative, Hosei University Professor
Organized by	General Incorporated Association steAm BAND
In cooperation with	steAm, Inc.

Introducing Mentors

※*The mentors listed below are those from the 3rd "STEAM Symphony Contest".
The list of mentors is subject to updates.

Color coding

ScienceTechnologyEngineeringArtsMathematics

Chair of the Board, steAm BAND
The University of Tokyo

Kan (Hiroshi) Suzuki

Social InnovationWell-beingPublic PhilosophyEducation and Sports Policy

Symphony Contest-4th｜一般社団法人steAm BAND

Contest Process

About Mentoring

Contest Outline

[For Parents and Guardians] As part of efforts to help young people use LINE safely and securely, the recommended minimum age for using LINE has been raised to 12. If you are under 12, please ask your parent or guardian to add the LINE account and register on your behalf.

Introducing Mentors

[For Parents and Guardians]
As part of efforts to help young people use LINE safely and securely, the recommended minimum age for using LINE has been raised to 12.
If you are under 12, please ask your parent or guardian to add the LINE account and register on your behalf.