ICRGU Virtual Hackathon 2025
Global innovation. Real-world impact.
In October this year, we invited high school students from 25 schools across 10 countries to take part in a global STEM challenge. The ICRGU Virtual Hackathon has been designed to empower young people to use tech for social good.
Over the course of five days, teams developed digital solutions to help local charities reach their sustainability goals.
The competition produced an extremely high level of creativity and emerging talent from students aged 16-18. From concept development to the final video submissions, we were shown exactly what the next generation of STEM leaders will look like.
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is a fast-paced, collaborative event where teams work together to solve real-world problems using tech. While industry hackathons can operate non-stop for 24–72 hours; the ICRGU version is designed specifically for high school students. This way, schools can engage in a way that fits around their academic timetable.
This year’s hackathon teams worked through a structured week of Simulive sessions and live mentor drop-ins via the Zoom Events platform. It didn’t matter if students had limited coding experience! Everyone was given full professional support to help their ideas take shape.
Why attend?
Hackathons are energising, inclusive, and full of possibility. They help young people to:
- Apply classroom learning to real community challenges
- Build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Gain exposure to emerging tech and digital innovation
- Develop confidence through hands-on, project-based learning
At ICRGU, our aim is to enhance global STEM education by giving students the opportunity to create, experiment and lead.
How did it go?
The response was extraordinary. We received 14 high-quality video submissions, each presenting a unique solution to a sustainability challenge faced by their chosen charity. Our expert judging panel represented computing, engineering, and industry innovation from the college and Robert Gordon University. They all praised the overall standard of work; noting the originality, clarity, and social impact of the ideas submitted.
Both teachers and students shared overwhelmingly positive feedback. Many described the hackathon as a transformative learning experience that pushed their technical thinking further than ever before.
The 2025 Winners
After a competitive judging process, we’re proud to celebrate the top three teams:
🥇 1st place
Team name: Pixelated
School: Nairobi International School
Prize: Meta Quest 3S VR Headset
🥈 2nd place
Team name: TechStars
School: Brookhouse International School
Prize: KAI AI Robot
🥉 3rd place
Team name: Mind Mavericks
School: Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Prize: Raspberry Pi 4 Kit
Every student who successfully submitted a project received a certificate, and many teams will see their achievements featured across ICRGU’s STEM Academy communications.
Ready to take part?
The ICRGU Virtual Hackathon will return in 2026! It will be even bigger and even more global. Schools can now express interest to receive:
- Ready-to-use teaching materials and support
- Optional opportunities to run an in-house hackathon
- Priority registration for the global competition
📩 To register your school’s interest, contact us at: info@ic.rgu.ac.uk
🔗 Find out more about our Summer School 2026, which includes the chance to join the live RGU Hackathon on campus in Aberdeen: https://icrgu.navitas.com/summer-experience/
Congratulations to everyone that took part this year. Let’s continue to inspire the next generation of innovators, and bring their ideas to life on a global stage.
It is truly an honour for us to be among the best and to know that the judges understood the creativity and hopefully, the impact of our project on the community. The whole event was nothing short of motivating and enriching: from the collective brainstorming, working with a worldwide team with differentiated perspective approaches to learning, made this experience one to behold.
We are truly grateful for the opportunity to have a made a part of such an amazing project, the certificates made that cherry on top and (of course) we can’t wait to receive our prize. Once again, we appreciate and support your vision and initiative of creating a world where young innovators can learn from each other and thrive.