Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, students across our global Cognita family took part in the annual Student Challenge, exploring this year’s theme: “Making a Difference.”

This year’s global judging panel – made up of student leaders from The British School of Barcelona, Stamford American School Hong Kong, Southbank International School, and Repton School Dubai – worked alongside Cognita leaders including Kristie Overton, Head of Group Education Insights and Projects, Jamie Delaney, Head of ESG and Group Ethics & Compliance Officer, Manel Barallat, Chief Financial Officer LatAm, Lizzie Varley, School Improvement Officer, Middle East, and Rebecca Warriner, Global Education Impact Lead, Middle East.

Together, they reviewed outstanding entries from 10 countries, ultimately selecting six winning projects from schools in the UAE, Chile, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico and Spain. Their thoughtful and collaborative process celebrated innovation, empathy, and the powerful ways in which young people are making a difference in their communities.

Dr Simon Camby, Chief Education Officer at Cognita, said:

“This year’s Student Challenge has once again highlighted the compassion, intelligence and creativity of our students across the world. Their ability to identify real challenges and respond with thoughtful, community-centred solutions is inspiring. The winning projects offer us all hope for a better future – one shaped by the next generation of changemakers.”

Here are the six winning projects of the 2025 Student Challenge:

  • Repton Al Barsha, UAE – “Zero Hunger Garden Project”
    Sarav’s impactful project began in Kenya, where he created a vegetable garden with his family to help feed children in the community. Now at Repton Al Barsha, he is launching a school gardening initiative where students grow crops and donate the produce to local communities during Ramadan. Judges were impressed by the project’s reach and Sarav’s long-term commitment to tackling food insecurity.
  • Colegio Dunalastair Valle Norte, Chile – “Textilblock: Sustainable Building from Recycled Textiles”
    Magdalena, Vicente, José Tomás, and Clemente tackled textile waste and environmental degradation in construction by creating an innovative prototype for a concrete alternative. Their “Textilblock,” made from recycled textiles and resin, presents a greener solution for the construction industry. Judges praised the team’s research, creativity and bold approach to sustainability.
  • St Andrews International School Sukhumvit 107, Thailand – “RoboOutreach: Robotics Accessibility”
    Natthawit developed a robotics kit and curriculum to improve access to STEM education in local Thai schools. By selling the kits to international schools, donating them to local schools, and delivering hands-on robotics lessons himself, he’s helping make STEM education more equitable. The judges highlighted his impressive dedication to widening access to learning.
  • International School Ho Chi Minh City – American Academy, Vietnam – “Walk-a-thon: Supporting Educational Access”
    Johnny led a school-wide walk-a-thon to raise funds for Anh Chi Em, a local charity that builds wells in remote Vietnamese communities. By supporting clean water access, the project helps children attend school instead of spending time collecting water. Judges were moved by Johnny’s local focus, personal commitment, and the compelling videos documenting the journey.
  • Colegio Olinca, Mexico – “Mathematics Course for Local Schools”
    After analysing recent PISA data, Isaac developed a maths support curriculum to help improve local students’ numeracy skills. His detailed programme provides resources for both students and teachers, and he has already begun sharing it with local schools. Judges were particularly impressed by Isaac’s data-driven approach and commitment to education equity.
  • El Limonar International School Murcia, Spain – “We Demand Some Poetry, Please”
    Year 7 students at ELIS Murcia used poetry as a tool to promote emotional expression and support mental wellbeing. The project inspired participation across the school and local community, and even sparked a national poetry competition involving other Cognita Spain schools. Judges applauded the students’ creative and unique interpretation of “making a difference.”

Congratulations once again to all the winning students and to everyone who participated in this year’s Student Challenge. Your projects have inspired your communities – and us – with your innovation, agency and purpose.