I CAN Schools Challenge

WHAT IS I CAN SCHOOLS CHALLENGE

An annual online global platform for students to share about their impact projects (Stories of Change). Stories of Change must be developed using the simplified design thinking methodology of Feel-Imagine-Do-Share (FIDS). The Challenge aims to develop impact-driven, values-focused, socially-conscious, self-confident and globally-competent Malaysian students. To promote inclusivity and to achieve the objective of growing a movement of ICAN Superheroes, submissions are invited from all Malaysian school children, and there is no fee for application. 

View Our Global Stories

WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Target Participants: 7-16 year old students, and teachers from primary and secondary schools across Malaysia.

The “I CAN” mindset equips every child to be AWARE of the world around them; ENABLED with the skills to take ACTION; and EMPOWERED to design a more resilient and sustainable future - TODAY! 

  • Be Recognised as a "Design For Change" Practitioner

    Teachers who participate in the I CAN FIDS workshops will be certified and recognised as DFC Practitioners. 

  • Develop Socially-Conscious & Globally Competent Student

    Develop your students to be leaders beyond the classroom and to use THEIR creative ideas to solve challenges and issues that they FEEL DEEPLY about in your schools and communities!

     

  • REPRESENT MALAYSIA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

    Stand a chance to present and showcase your team's project on the global stage during I CAN Children's Global Summit or Be The Change celebration.

  • Self-Development

    Learn design-thinking skills for personal and professional development

  • Networking Opportunities

    Connect with other like-minded educators from the country and around the world

  • Think Global, Act Local

    Showcase your knowledge and projects that contribute to creating impact, and building a more desirable, sustainable world. 

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

If you haven't gone through a workshop with us, we highly recommend it. Otherwise, we have guides on how you can learn our FIDS methodology on your own, so you can still submit a project! Please remember your team needs to consist of 1 teacher/mentor and up to 5 students (min of 3 students). Students should be between 7 - 16 years old. Ready to submit? Follow the guidelines below (click here)

  • OUR Workshops

    Our I CAN FIDS workshops are designed for children and educators to test and better understand the DFC FIDS methodology, and how to incorporate it into their classroom. We offer both in person and virtual workshop session. The workshop will help teams to effectively develop ideas & implement solutions for their daily lives, schools and communities.

    Register Your Interest
  • REFRESH YOUR FIDS SKILLS

    Start with a quick refresher course video if you haven't practiced F-I-D-S in a while or are new to F-I-D-S. Go through the PDF toolkit and guidelines, and answer the questions based on the project you intend to create. (Download Here)

    Watch FIDS Videos

PAST PROJECTS

Since 2018, the I CAN Schools Challenge has received over 500+ student-led projects from 2,500+ students and 450+ teachers across malaysia, with a collective impact of 500,000+ lives.

OUR STRATEGIC THEMES

Real Solutions. Real Impact. By Children - for Malaysia and the World!

The I CAN Schools Challenge will demonstrate the potential of children, and showcase local scalable and impactful solutions developed by children for a sustainable and resilient Malaysia.

  • Health & Wellbeing

    With the increase of mental health issues among students arising from the effects of the pandemic, how can students be equipped to combat these challenges, and what solutions are needed to support the future generation?

    Submit Your Project
  • Environment and Climate Action

    Unleashing the creativity of students to develop and implement environmental and climate action projects in their homes, schools, and communities.

    Submit Your Project
  • Innovation and Technology

    How can we encourage and empower our young changemakers to use their vigor, creativity and robustness to create new and innovative ideas to solve some of the world’s pressing issues?

    Submit Your Project
  • Art, Culture and Heritage

    Providing opportunities for students to contribute their ideas towards building a culture that is inclusive and that supports their own development and welfare

    Submit Your Project

Challenge Timeline

Launch of Challenge: 15 July 2023

I CAN Workshops (Online and In-Person): 1 July - 31 August 2023

School Projects Submission Deadline: 31 August 2023

Judging and Selection Process: 1-14 September 2023

Semi-Finalist Announcement: 15 September 2023

Project Scaling and Community Engagement: 1 October - 15 November 2023

National Showcase: TBC

I CAN Children's Global Summit: 30 November - 3 December 2023