STEAM4Sustainability Hack
Marine pollution is one of the most serious environmental emergencies of our time. Every year, millions of tons of plastic and harmful substances are dispersed into seas and oceans, with dramatic consequences for ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Microplastics, industrial waste, and unsustainable consumption habits are compromising the planet’s natural balance and quality of life.
STEAM4Sustainability Hack aims to educate and engage students and young innovators in a challenge centered on creativity and environmental awareness. During the two-day event (November 10–11, 2025), participants will be asked to design and develop concrete, innovative, and sustainable solutions to tackle the problem of marine pollution, using new skills.
Proposals may range from developing apps or technological tools for monitoring, to creating educational resources, communication campaigns, or interactive games to raise awareness among schools, local communities, and institutions. The goal is not only to present a technically sound project, but also to foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration — encouraging participants to communicate sustainability in a creative and impactful way.
Questions?
muzzi@ifoa.it
Who can join?
10 - 11 NOV 2025
Register by 05 NOVLanguage(s) of the hackathon
English
Online
from ItalyIndividual Competences
Challenge and goals
The initiative aims to promote meaningful reflection and awareness among participants on the issue of marine pollution, encouraging them to explore innovative, creative, and sustainable solutions. It seeks to stimulate active engagement in environmental protection through participation, collaboration, and the ability to turn ideas into proposals that benefit the community.
The experience is designed to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, giving participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, share perspectives, and develop initiatives capable of driving change. Through teamwork and dialogue across disciplines, the hackathon fosters the creation of effective and easily communicable solutions.
The expected outcome is the presentation of original, well-structured, and meaningful projects that combine environmental awareness with strong communication skills. Each proposal should demonstrate clarity, alignment with sustainability principles, and potential educational or social impact — prioritising the strength of the message and the demonstration of new skills over technical or production complexity.
Expectations and requirements for the solutions and participants
Participation is open to teams of students and young people interested in exploring the themes of sustainability and marine pollution. Each team must present an original, clear, and feasible proposal — in the form of a project, prototype, or presentation. Participants are expected to work collaboratively, respect deadlines, and share ideas and responsibilities. Projects will be evaluated based on creativity, educational impact, and consistency with the challenge’s objectives.
Available Support
Teams
Mentors
Linda Burchiellaro
Ph.D. student in Computer and Data Science for Technological and Social Innovation - Unimore
Antolin Bustos
Electronics teacher and programmer - CIPFP Misericordia
Judges
Bernat Pellicer
Technical and Vocational Education teacher - CIPFP Misericordia
Proposed Solutions
Scan or Die
Team: Scan or Die
ECOFind
Team: ECOFIND
ANNA
Team: ANNA - Act Now, Nature Awaits
Local winner
Floating sensor for Ocean Pollution Detection and Cleanup
Team: Floating sensor for Ocean Pollution Detection and Cleanup
Azura
Team: Team Azura
Balance the Ocean
Team: Balance the Ocean
Ecolink
Team: Ecolink