TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS
goIT Challenge
TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge
Help us design the future of running in this free schools challenge
Are you a student who loves running and problem solving? Want to help shape the future of the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS? If so, we invite you to take part in a competition that challenges Aussie students to help us reimagine the race’s approach to sustainability.
Introducing the TCS Sydney Marathon goIT Challenge in partnership with the NSW Department of Education
With a growing number of athletes and spectators participating in the TCS Sydney Marathon from around the globe and across Australia, we want to showcase innovative sustainability practices, with the aim of creating a marathon that will inspire and sustain future generations and set new standards for sustainable responsibility. We’re challenging school-aged students to develop a creative solution to ensure that the TCS Sydney Marathon is one of the most environmentally sustainable events of its kind in the world.
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When it comes to sustainability, technology and creativity go hand in hand. With this in mind, your thinking should explore the following:
Feasibility
The solutions should be both innovative and have the potential for real-world implementation.
Innovation
Create an innovative, sustainable solution that could be implemented at the TCS Sydney Marathon. Students should iterate and evaluate their ideas in the process.
Brainstorm
Explore existing solutions and brainstorm novel ideas.
Sustainability
Assess current practices in marathon events and identify areas for improvement. Explore existing solutions and investigate one or more key aspects of sustainability, related to the UN Sustainability Development Goals.
A TCS goIT challenge run at your own pace
Students will collaborate in teams to complete a four-week design sprint. The end result will be a three-minute video pitch showcasing how the solution will help make the TCS Sydney Marathon a model of sustainability. You should follow a structured design process which will enhance your understanding and application of design thinking. This will drive effective problem-solving and foster the creation of innovative solutions.
Judging criteria
The panel of judges will be looking for solutions that demonstrate intelligent use of design thinking and technology, and include connections to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Innovation, clarity of thought, impact and effectiveness, feasibility of implementation, and the quality of the presentation will all be taken into account. There will be a finalist team chosen from a Sydney Metro school, and a team from NSW regional schools.
Who can enter
The TCS Sydney Marathon goIT challenge is open to all students aged 6 to 17. The full details, including lesson plans for teachers, will be available on August 1st, 2024.
The prizes
The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize for their school and the chance for their idea to be implemented in next year’s Marathon. The two top teams will receive an ASICS prize pack worth over $1,000 and tickets to the TCS Mini Marathon presented by ASICS, with travel also included for the regional team.
It’s time to get your thinking hats on!
Submissions open 1st August, 2024 to 31st August, 2024.
Get your students involved
Are you a teacher?
If you’re interested in getting your students involved you’ll find an accompanying teacher’s guide here which has been developed with the NSW Department of Education to assist in solving complex problems through a series of steps. The cogs in the iSTEM engineering design process provide a scaffold for addressing typical problems, offering ‘key questions’ and ‘activity suggestions’ to guide teachers through each stage.
