Young Inventors Challenge (YIC)

The aim and objectives of YIC are:

• To develop future inventors.
• To give an opportunity to young and future inventors to develop and present their inventions.
• To help young inventors to experience the inventive cycle, from conceptualisation to product/prototype.
• To introduce the idea of “using inventions as a tool to make a positive change in society”.
• To give opportunities to young people who are inventive to promote their ideas to the outside world.

By participating in YIC, the participants would also:

• Produce an original invention and receive recognition for participating in the event.
• Develop creative and innovative thinking skills.
• Develop teamwork dynamics to solve problems.
• Use resources such as the internet, library and experts to hone their research skills.
• Learn to document their invention project.
• Enhance self-esteem and confidence.
• Acquire public presentation and writing skills.

The target group and age category for the YIC are as follows:

• Young people aged between 13 and 17 (Form 1 to 5).
• A team consisting of 2 – 5 young people.
• Teams made up of different cultural background (Highly Encouraged).

Below details the step-by-step mode of implementation for YIC (Physical/Online Event).

1. Publicity – Sending out Letters and flyers to about 2000 schools in Malaysia, embassies, previous participating schools. Also, social media and print media is used.
2. Participants Application & Registration – Interested students were requested to form a team of 2-5 people. With 1-2 Mentor, and submit their application to ASTI.
3. Proposal Writing – The registered teams will be sent a proposal writing manual which they must use to develop a proposal for the problem the have identified and their proposed solution.
4. The Judging Process: Proposal Marking and Shortlisting – Each proposal will be blindly reviewed by 2-3 judges based on YIC scoresheets and submitted to the Chief Judge. We have about 50 judges from various Academia and Industry as volunteers. Each result will be cross-referenced.
5. Special Cases – The organizers reserve the right to pre-select not more than 15 teams on special circumstances – e.g., refugees, disadvantaged communities, countries etc.
6. Online Training – The shortlisted students go through online training on the Invention process and the YIC criteria.
7. Online Invention Pitch Video and Project Report Submission – The shortlisted team are required to prepare the invention and submit an Invention Pitch Video and Project Report. They are also required to participant in an online viva session.
8. Physical Invention Exhibition and Judging – The shortlisted team are required to prepare the working model of their invention and exhibit at physical event which will be held in Klang Velly. The judges will evaluate the participants invention and presentation to determine the winners.
9. Winners Announcement– The winners of the Online Event will be announced via virtual winners announcement ceremony whereas the winners of physical event will be announced in the physical event.
10. Feedback & follow up – The students are encouraged to join the Alumni and are given simple feedback and are encouraged to participate in other events and competition. The teams also will be invited to participate in entrepreneurship programmes.