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3 AGE GROUPS. 3 PATHWAYS. ONE MISSION: BUILD IDEAS. SOLVE CHALLENGES. REPRESENT YOUR SCHOOL AT THE UAE FINALS.

3 AGE GROUPS. 3 PATHWAYS. ONE MISSION: BUILD IDEAS. SOLVE CHALLENGES. REPRESENT YOUR SCHOOL AT THE UAE FINALS.

3 AGE GROUPS. 3 PATHWAYS. ONE MISSION: BUILD IDEAS. SOLVE CHALLENGES. REPRESENT YOUR SCHOOL AT THE UAE FINALS.

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Competition Categories

Competition Categories

2024

April - UAE Finals

April - UAE Finals

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Regional Qualifier Locations

Regional Qualifier Locations

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ABOUT INNOVATE:X UAE

WHERE CLASSROOM IDEAS BECOME REAL- WORLD IMPACT.

INNOVATE:X UAE 2027 challenges students across the UAE to think creatively, build practical solutions and use technology with purpose.From school preparation and qualifiers to the UAE Finals, students experience the full journey—from an idea in the classroom to a solution that works.

CATEGORIES

CATEGORIES

CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE

CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE

Three age-appropriate pathways.

Three age-appropriate pathways.

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City Pixel background image

CHALLENGES THAT SHAPE FUTURE INNOVATORS

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CodeQuest

Code a story. Build an interactive journey.

Grades 2-4

Years 3-5

Ages 7-10

SCRATCH | SMART TRANSPORT

Team may use:

Students will explore Scratch coding, smart transportation, storytelling and basic automation through an engaging, story-driven challenge.

  • Intelino AI Smart Train

  • Scratch programming

  • Screen-free colour-snap coding

  • Animated storytelling and digital presentations

  • Creative construction and problem-solving materials

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TechForge

Engineer a system. Complete the missions.

Grade 5-10

Years 6-11

Ages 10-16

ROBOTICS | SENSORS

Team may use:

Students will design, build and program solutions to complete engineering missions involving robotics, microcontrollers, sensors and automation.

  • Robotics Inventor Kits with micro:bit **

  • Arduino-based platforms with eligible sensors

  • ESP32-based platforms with eligible sensors

  • LEGO EV3 or LEGO Education SPIKE Prime

  • Approved sensors and compatible electronic components

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ImpactX

Solve a real problem. Create meaningful impact.

Grade 8-12

Years 9-13

Ages 13-18

OPEN INNOVATION | TECH

Team may use:

Students will identify a meaningful real-world problem and develop an original, practical and technology-enabled solution using AI, IoT, automation or other relevant technologies.

  • A functional mobile application

  • A working website or digital platform

  • A physical prototype or engineered model

  • An AI- or IoT-enabled system

  • An integrated hardware-software solution

  • Another functional technology-based innovation relevant to the identified problem

Age ranges are indicative. Register students by their current Grade/British Year Group. Exact date and venue will be shared with registered schools.

Age ranges are indicative. Register students by their current Grade/British Year Group. Exact date and venue will be shared with registered schools.

** The list of eligible sensors and components will be shared with the official competition theme and challenge brief.

** The list of eligible sensors and components will be shared with the official competition theme and challenge brief.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

For each selected category:

Projects will be evaluated through a structured, category-specific judging framework designed to recognise technical ability, creativity, teamwork and real-world relevance.

A minimum of two teams must participate.

Each team may consist of two or three students.

Schools may participate in either two or all three categories.

One teacher mentor must be nominated for each selected category.

Teams will compete at their assigned regional qualifier.

Selected teams will progress to the UAE Finals in April 2027.

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INNOVATE:X PREVIEW

SEE THE CHALLENGES. UNDERSTAND THE FORMAT. PREPARE YOUR TEAMS.

SEE THE CHALLENGES. UNDERSTAND THE FORMAT. PREPARE YOUR TEAMS.

Explore competition challenges, scoring rubrics and preparation resources through live demonstrations and mentor orientation.

During the Preview Event, mentors will receive:

Category-specific topics and problem statements

Permitted kits, components and technologies

Detailed challenge format and participation rules

Regional qualifier format and progression process

Receive the Mentor Handbook and Competition Guidelines

Student preparation and documentation requirements

COMPETITION JOURNEY

ONE JOURNEY.
7 DEFINING STAGES

The road to the UAE finals

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SEP - OCT

2026

Registration Phase

Ideas begin here..

Stage

1

School Registration

Schools select their categories and nominate teacher mentors.

Stage

2

INNOVATEX Preview

Mentor induction, sample challenge, live demonstration and competition briefing.

Late October 2026

the golden gate bridge san francisco

OCT 26 - NOV 27

26-27

Preparation & Training

Building skills..

Stage

3

Student Preparation

Schools form their student teams and begin preparation for their selected categories.

From October 2026 onwards

Stage

4

Workshops & Training

EduCraft conducts structured technical workshops to strengthen coding, engineering and problem-solving skills.

October 2026 - January 2027

the golden gate bridge san francisco

JAN - APR

2027

Regional Qualifiers to UAE Finals

To a brighter tomorrow

Stage

5

Regional Qualifiers

Student teams compete at their assigned regional qualifier in Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi. Selected teams will progress to the UAE Finals in April 2027.


March 2027

Stage

6

Final Preparation

Qualifying teams strengthen their strategies, technical abilities and project documentation.

Before April 2027

Stage

7

INNOVATEX UAE Finals

Qualifying teams represent their schools at the UAE-wide competition.

April 2027

JUDGING FRAMEWORK

EVERY IDEA DESERVES THE RIGHT MEASURE

EVERY IDEA DESERVES THE RIGHT MEASURE

Projects will be evaluated through a structured, category-specific judging framework designed to recognise technical ability, creativity, teamwork and real-world relevance.

Projects will be evaluated through a structured, category-specific judging framework designed to recognise technical ability, creativity, teamwork and real-world relevance.

The final date, venue and session schedule will be shared with registered schools.

The final date, venue and session schedule will be shared with registered schools.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION

READY TO BUILD WHAT'S NEXT?

Register your school for INNOVATEX UAE 2027 and give your students the opportunity to learn, build, compete and represent their school at the UAE Finals.

Register your school for INNOVATEX UAE 2027 and give your students the opportunity to learn, build, compete and represent their school at the UAE Finals.

Click here to Register

Click here to Register

Registration Closes : 31 October 2026

Registration Closes : 31 October 2026

FAQs

GOT QUESTIONS?

We've got all the answers ready for you

We've got all the answers ready for you

Who can participate in INNOVATE:X UAE 2027?

How does a school register?

What happens after registration?

When are the UAE Finals?

Will the official challenge be revealed before the competition?