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ICAC Participation

Overview

The Innovation Challenge Annual Conference (ICAC) is a competitive event that encompasses career counseling seminars and hands-on workshops, while connecting youth with industry professionals. Participants research and develop an innovation to solve a real-world problem in one of four events: Engineering, Life Sciences, Computer Science, and Astronomy. There are two participation formats for teams to choose from for each event: Writtens and Showcases. For more information, find the ICAC Information Guide under “Resources” tab or at the bottom of this page.

How to Register

1

Take part in a chapter or individually

2

Choose a team with 1-4 participants

3

Choose an event and participation format

4

Purchase an admissions ticket

5

Sign the participation waiver

Overview

The Innovation Challenge Annual Conference (ICAC) is a competitive event that encompasses career counseling seminars and hands-on workshops, while connecting youth with industry professionals. Participants research and develop an innovation to solve a real-world problem in one of four events: Engineering, Life Sciences, Computer Science, and Astronomy. There are two participation formats for teams to choose from for each event: Writtens and Showcases. For more information, find the ICAC Information Guide under “Resources” tab or at the bottom of this page.

How to Register

1

Take part in a chapter or individually

2

Choose a team with 1-4 participants

3

Choose an event and participation format

4

Purchase an admissions ticket

5

Sign the participation waiver

Eligibility

Teams must be registered with the STEAM IC in order to attend ICAC. The deadline for registration is March 1st 2026. Each team can sign up for a maximum of one event.

When registering, each member must fill out the participation waiver and indicate their event, participation format, team members, and whether they are part of a school chapter.

Should a team or an individual within that team require accommodation for ICAC, STEAM IC will process that request so long as it is made before March 25, 2026.

All participants must currently be attending high school and be within the age range of 13-19. Each team member must fill the registration form and be indicated on others’ registration forms.

Eligibility

Teams must be registered with the STEAM IC in order to attend ICAC. The deadline for registration is March 1st 2026. Each team can sign up for a maximum of one event.

When registering, each member must fill out the participation waiver and indicate their event, participation format, team members, and whether they are part of a school chapter.

Should a team or an individual within that team require accommodation for ICAC, STEAM IC will process that request so long as it is made before March 25, 2026.

All participants must currently be attending high school and be within the age range of 13-19. Each team member must fill the registration form and be indicated on others’ registration forms.

Format & Judging

STEAM ICAC allows for two participation formats for each event: Writtens and Showcases. Each format has a different guidelines and criterion out of 30 points. All events will have the top 3 highest scoring teams place regardless of participation format. For more information, find the ICAC Information Guide under “Resources” tab or at the bottom of this page.

Writtens

Participants must follow the Writtens criterion and guidelines. This format can only be completed individually.

Create a max. 20 page report based on the event prompt. The report does not need to be scientific in nature.

Submit the report to STEAM IC through a dropbox that opens closer to the conference date. Reports that are submitted late will not be assessed.

Showcases

Participants must follow the Showcase criterion and guidelines. This format can be completed in teams of 1-4.

Create a solution through a model and max. 5 page analysis based on the event prompt.

Submit the analysis to STEAM IC through a dropbox beforehand. At STEAM ICAC, teams have an assigned 10 minute time slot to showcase their solution.

Writtens’ Criteria

Use the side arrows to switch between Writtens and Showcases criteria. For more information, find the ICAC Information Guide under “Resources” tab or at the bottom of this page.

Scientific Application & Innovation

0-6

Relevant scientific concepts are thoroughly explained and correctly utilized. There is thorough analysis of scientific principles and the project is original.

Technology

0-7

The project shows innovative integration of technology and functional components are embedded in the design. Future technologies are considered to make the solution adaptable

Sustainability

0-5

Project planning includes topics such as resource efficiency, long-term viability, sustainable use, etc. The model is also constructed sustainably.

Report

Writtens exclusive criteria

0-5

The report includes components such as a clearly defined problem, relevant background research, the proposed solution, planning and development process. It uses visuals to support explanations.

Prototyping Plan

Writtens exclusive criteria

0-7

Planning for the prototype uses feasible materials and available technology. The proposed design reflects careful planning and shows a clear path toward building a functional and scalable solution.

Writtens’ Guidelines

The report does not need to be scientific in nature. It must have a maximum of 20 pages, not including the appendix, bibliography (APA 7), and title. There must be 1 inch margins on all sides, a font of Times New Roman size 12, and a 1.15 spacing.

Showcase Criteria

Use the side arrows to switch between Writtens and Showcases criteria. For more information, find the ICAC information guide under resources or at the bottom of this page.

Scientific Application & Innovation

0-6

Relevant scientific concepts are thoroughly explained and correctly utilized. There is thorough analysis of scientific principles and the project is original.

Technology

0-7

The project shows innovative integration of technology and functional components are embedded in the design. Future technologies are considered to make the solution adaptable.

Sustainability

0-5

Project planning includes topics such as resource efficiency, long-term viability, sustainable use, etc. The model is also constructed sustainably.

Analysis & Presentation

Showcase exclusive criteria

0-5

The analysis is properly organized and well structured. Diagrams, descriptions and explanations are in-depth and logically arranged. The presenter(s) is/are well-paced (presentation is within the given 10-minute time limit) and respond thoughtfully to questions.

Model

Showcase exclusive criteria

0-7

Functional technological components demonstrate the solution’s practicality and scalability. The model is cohesive and logically organized to represent the solution cohesively. The model adheres to the given size limit of 50 x 50 x 50 cm.

Showcase Guidelines

The analysis is a maximum of 5 pages, has 1 inch margins, in Times New Roman size 12, and has 1.15 spacing. Models and any physical visual aids need to be maximum 50x50x50 cm. Participants are responsible for providing technology for any digital visual aids.

Writtens’ Criteria

Swipe to switch between Writtens and Showcases criteria. For more information, find the ICAC Information Guide under “Resources” tab or at the bottom of this page.

Scientific Application & Innovation

0-6

Relevant scientific concepts are thoroughly explained and correctly utilized. There is thorough analysis of scientific principles and the project is original.

Technology

0-7

The project shows innovative integration of technology and functional components are embedded in the design. Future technologies are considered to make the solution adaptable

Sustainability

0-5

Project planning includes topics such as resource efficiency, long-term viability, sustainable use, etc. The model is also constructed sustainably.

Report

Writtens exclusive criteria

0-5

The report includes a defined problem, background research, the solution, planning and development, etc. It uses visuals to support explanations.

Prototyping Plan

Writtens exclusive criteria

0-7

Prototype planning uses feasible materials and technology. The design reflects careful planning and shows a clear path toward building a functional and scalable solution.

Writtens Guidelines

The report does not need to be scientific in nature. It must have a maximum of 20 pages, not including the appendix, bibliography (APA 7), and title. There must be 1 inch margins on all sides, a font of Times New Roman size 12, and a 1.15 spacing.

Showcase Criteria

Swipe to switch between Writtens and Showcases criteria. For more information, find the ICAC information guide under resources or at the bottom of this page.

Scientific Application & Innovation

0-6

Relevant scientific concepts are thoroughly explained and correctly utilized. There is thorough analysis of scientific principles and the project is original.

Technology

0-7

The project shows innovative integration of technology and functional components are embedded in the design. Future technologies are considered to make the solution adaptable.

Sustainability

0-5

Project planning includes topics such as resource efficiency, long-term viability, sustainable use, etc. The model is also constructed sustainably.

Analysis & Presentation

Showcase exclusive criteria

0-5

Diagrams and explanations are in-depth and logically arranged. The team is well-paced, within the time limit, and respond thoughtfully to questions.

Model

Showcase exclusive criteria

0-7

Functional technological components demonstrate the solution’s practicality and scalability. The model is cohesive and logically organized to represent the solution cohesively.

Showcase Guidelines

The analysis is a maximum of 5 pages, has 1 inch margins, in Times New Roman size 12, and has 1.15 spacing. Models and any physical visual aids need to be maximum 50x50x50 cm. Participants are responsible for providing technology for any digital visual aids.

ICAC Regulations

For more information, find the ICAC Information Guide under “Resources” tab or at the bottom of this page.

Regulations & Conduct

Judges may penalize participants, after consultation with the STEAM IC management, if they feel there has been a rule infraction not explicitly stated in the Regulations.

Right to Acquire Submissions

All materials submitted at ICAC become the property of the STEAM IC. The STEAM IC may use or allow affiliated partners to publish submitted material.

Academic Integrity

Participants may not provide judges with any items, gifts or notes. Participants may only present their model, report, and planning to the judges.

Material Submissions

Participants in the Showcases format must submit a hard copy of their report at ICAC. Participants in the Writtens format must submit their report on time.

Material Requirements

The report/analysis must be submitted on time. Plagiarism & AI are prohibited. Submissions must be in accordance with guidelines and the criteria.

Mandatory Dress Code

All attendees of ICAC must be dressed in business formal attire.

Point Deductions

Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Judges will determine the extent of the point deduction on a case-by-case basis, depending on the extent of plagiarism.

Teams should arrive on their alotted showcase time. A penalty of up to 15 points may be levied against any team that arrives 5 minutes late to their allotted time.

The presence of all team members at ICAC is mandatory unless an exemption is provided by the STEAM IC team, and absent members cannot attend the awards ceremony.

If a team exceeds the 10 minute time limit, the presentation will be interrupted and only the presented material will be graded. No points are deducted if a team has to be cut off.

Point Deductions

Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Judges will determine the extent of the point deduction on a case-by-case basis, depending on the extent of plagiarism.

Teams should arrive on their alotted showcase time. A penalty of up to 15 points may be levied against any team that arrives 5 minutes late to their allotted time.

The presence of all team members at ICAC is mandatory unless an exemption is provided by the STEAM IC team, and absent members cannot attend the awards ceremony.

If a team exceeds the 10 minute time limit, the presentation will be interrupted and only the presented material will be graded. No points are deducted if a team has to be cut off.

Important Links

To find more information about the criteria, prompts, and other aspects of ICAC, please refer to the respective links…

ICAC 2025
ICAC 2024
ICAC Curriculum
ICAC Info. Guide