From March to April 2026, 128 students from 18 schools competed in the Earth Alive Inter-School Challenge. Now in its third iteration, the geography-themed competition aims to nurture talent in Geography among secondary school students in Singapore by fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
With support from the Embassy of Sweden in Singapore, Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), and LASALLE College of the Arts, the Challenge was organised by the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) in partnership with Science Centre Singapore (SCS) and held in support of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment’s GoGreenSG campaign.
Participants with guests of honour at the opening ceremony of Earth Alive Inter-School Challenge 2026 Grand Finale on 20 April
The Challenge commenced on 30 March with a webinar, marking the start of three missions completed in teams of four. During the webinar, students were introduced to the concept of Planetary Boundaries. Mr Axel Eriksson from SRC outlined the framework, while Asst Prof Janice Lee from EOS explored its application in Southeast Asia, with a focus on oil palm production.
During the session, Mission 1 was unveiled: participants were tasked to create a 90-second video demonstrating how exceeding at least two planetary boundaries could impact their daily lives and those of a different population. In a first for the Challenge, participants also received guidance on producing engaging videos from industry expert Mr Urich Lau, Senior Lecturer at LASALLE.
Teams were then given approximately one and a half weeks to complete their submissions, which were evaluated by a panel comprising representatives from EOS, LASALLE College of the Arts, and the Embassy of Sweden in Singapore. The winning video was to be announced at the Grand Finale on 20 April.
At the Grand Finale held at Science Centre Singapore, teams took on Missions 2 and 3. The event opened with remarks by Ms Tham Mun See, Chief Executive of Science Centre Singapore, and Ambassador Anders Sjoberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Singapore, who welcomed participants before the activities commenced.
In Mission 2 of the Challenge, teams explored the Earth Alive exhibition to answer a series of multiple-choice questions, along with a case study drawing on both the exhibition and webinar content. Participants culminated their work by developing and evaluating solutions to reduce environmental pressure and restore balance within planetary boundaries.
The second and third missions happened at SCS on 21 April. During the second mission of the Challenge, the teams had to use content from the
Earth Alive exhibition to answer a series of questions leading them to propose a coastal protection strategy for an earthquake-prone area.
Participants working on Mission 2 at the Earth Alive exhibition at Science Centre Singapore
The EOS Dynamic Earth Games formed the central focus of Mission 3. In these role-play scenarios, teams took on the perspectives of community members living in hazard-prone regions and experienced the complexity of managing crises. Each team participated in four games and had to win as many games as possible.
Participants at Dynamic Earth Game stations, in different locations around Science Centre Singapore
Following Missions 2 and 3, participants took part in a workshop led by Ms Bettina Schwalm. In the Signs of Change workshop, they were challenged to reimagine how street signs might evolve in response to climate change. Each participant then brought their ideas to life through their own sketches.
Ms Bettina Schwalm encouraging students to envision the future through street sign design
As the day drew to a close, participants received inspiring closing addresses from Prof Adam Switzer (EOS), Assoc Prof Per Olsson, and Mr Axel Eriksson (SRC), before the awards presentation to celebrate their efforts.
The team from Raffles Girls’ School Team 2 emerged as the Overall Winner. Yusof Ishak Secondary School’s Weather Fourcasters were 1st runner-up, and Anglican High School Team 1 were 2nd runner-up. Team 1 Raffles Girls’ School took home the Best Video prize. The winning teams received 3D-printed trophies, presented by Dr Lee Song Choon, Senior Director of Education, Dome & Observatory Division, Science Centre Singapore; Assoc Prof Per Olsson (SRC); Prof Adam Switzer (EOS); and Mr Urich Lau (LASALLE).
Raffle Girls Team 1, winners of the best video, with Mr. Urich Lau
2nd Runner-ups, Anglican High Team 1 with Dr Lee Song Choon
1st Runner-ups, The Weather Fourcasters from Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Grand Champions Raffles Girls School Team 2 with Prof. Adam Switzer
Through the Challenge, participants were empowered to become thoughtful problem-solvers, ready to take on real-world environmental challenges. The video below captures the energy and excitement of the Grand Finale at Science Centre Singapore.
EOS extends its appreciation to Science Centre Singapore for its continued collaboration; the Embassy of Sweden in Singapore, Stockholm Resilience Centre, and LASALLE College of the Arts for their support; and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment for including this in the GoGreenSG initiative.