Junior Einstein

About Junior Einstein

The Junior Einstein Track at IEEE YESIST12 is a global platform designed to inspire young innovators aged 12 to 17. It encourages students to explore STEM through creative problem-solving and socially impactful ideas. Participants ideate, design, and present solutions to real-world challenges. The track focuses on nurturing curiosity, technical thinking, and confidence. It goes beyond competition, offering a developmental learning journey. Students gain exposure to mentors, industry experts, and global perspectives. The track promotes ethical, service-oriented, and sustainable innovation. Its goal is to shape the next generation of innovators and change-makers.

Theme

Smart Ideas for a Sustainable Future

“Smart Ideas for a Sustainable Future”

The Junior Einstein Track at IEEE YESIST12 2026 centers on “Smart Ideas for a Sustainable Future.” Aligned with the UN SDGs, this theme empowers young innovators to develop technology-driven solutions for a resilient world. Students are encouraged to identify community or global challenges and propose future-ready ideas—spanning smart systems, automation, and eco-friendly designs—that balance innovation with sustainability to create lasting impact.

SDGs Aligned

This track encourages projects addressing one or more of the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Timeline

Call for Abstracts-1	17th Jan 2026
Deadline for Abstract-1	20th Feb 2026
Time for reviewer to review the abstracts	20th Feb - 28th Feb 2026
Call for Abstracts-2	1st March 2026
Deadline for Abstract-2	31st March 2026
Time for reviewer to review the abstracts	1st April - 7th April 2026
Announcement of qualified abstract	2nd May 2026
Final Call for Abstracts	2nd May 2026
Deadline for Final call for Abstract	30th May 2026
Announcement of qualified Abstract	7th June 2026

Submit your Abstract now

Open

Call for Abstract-1 Ends: 20th Feb 2026

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

DOWNLOAD ABSTRACT TEMPLATE Submit Abstract

The Objectives of the Junior Einstein

Global Showcase and Collaboration: To create an international platform where young participants can showcase their talents and innovations, connect with peers from around the world, and foster meaningful collaborations that may lead to future academic, technical, and entrepreneurial partnerships.
Next-Generation Innovator Recognition: To identify, recognize, and motivate the next generation of innovators by encouraging creative thinking and supporting the development of viable, impactful solutions to real-world social challenges.
Societal Impact through STEM: To inspire students to apply STEM concepts in designing and developing solutions that address societal needs, while actively contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hands-on Experience and Skill Development: To provide participants with hands-on exposure to technology and engineering projects, enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, technical understanding, and long-term interest in STEM fields.
Teamwork, Collaboration, and Innovation: To cultivate a culture of teamwork and collaboration, encouraging participants to work collectively, think creatively, and approach challenges with innovation-driven and solution-oriented mindsets.

Who Is Eligible?

Open to school students worldwide aged 12–17 years.
Participants should have a keen interest in STEM and a passion for innovation.
Teams may include up to 4 members; mixed institutions/countries are allowed.
A mentor must accompany each team during registration.
Proof of age and enrollment (e.g., bonafide school certificate or Birth Certificate) is required.

Benefits of Participating

Global Recognition: Showcase your innovative ideas and stand a chance to be recognized on a global platform.
Skill Development: Hone critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
Networking: Connect with like-minded individuals, mentors, and professionals who share a passion for sustainability.
Awareness: Gain insights into pressing global issues and contribute to meaningful solutions.

Rules for Participation

Teams should consist of up to four members.
Projects can be software, hardware, or integrated tech solutions.
Ensure originality – plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited.
Submissions must be clear, well-structured, and aligned with SDGs.
Teams will be locked upon abstract submission. No changes to team members or mentors will be permitted after the abstract submission deadline under any circumstances.
Each team is solely responsible for internal coordination, cooperation, and teamwork throughout the duration of the competition. IEEE YESIST12 will not intervene in internal team matters.
Teams that have actively participated and have enrolled themselves with team members and mentor details will be eligible for the certificates.

Evaluation Criteria

Novelty/Innovation: The project introduces a creative and original approach to solving the identified problem. It goes beyond conventional solutions by integrating innovative ideas or methods.
Understanding of Concept & Market Demand: The problem is clearly identified with a well-defined scope and context. Underlying causes and real-world implications are thoroughly analyzed.
Technical Implementation: The proposed solution is supported through testing, prototyping, or logical validation. Results and observations justify the effectiveness of the innovation.
Demonstration & Clarity of Presentation: The project is presented in a clear, structured, and engaging manner. Ideas, visuals, and explanations effectively communicate the project’s intent and outcomes.
Scalability & Real-World Impact: The solution has potential for implementation on a larger scale with minimal modifications. It is adaptable to different contexts and user requirements.

Track Structure:

The Junior Einstein Track follows a structured process to identify and showcase innovative projects, consisting of the following phases:

Phase 1: Call for Abstracts-1

This is the initial phase where the abstract submission is open to anyone interested in participating in the Junior Einstein Track. The call for abstracts is announced globally, and participants can submit their abstracts through the submission portal available on the website. Phase 1 serves as the first opportunity for participants to showcase their ideas and concepts.

Phase 2: Call for Abstracts-2

Phase 2 is an extended call for abstract submissions. Teams that wish to extend their participation opportunity can do so by submitting their abstracts in this second phase. It also gives a chance for participants who did not advance to the next rounds in Phase 1 to reapply and take part in the competition.

Phase 3: Selection & Registration

Potential and innovative projects that are submitted in the first and second call are selected for finals, and the teams are intimated via mail.

Phase 4: Finale

Selected teams will present their project works before the jury during the finals. Evaluation will be carried out based on the criteria.

Submission Mode

Pilot Entry

Participants from regions with an active YESIST12 Pilot event.
Projects are first presented and evaluated at a preliminary competition.
Winners from the Pilot event get a direct entry into the Grand Finale.

Direct Entry

For participants from countries or regions without a YESIST12 Pilot event.
Submissions (Abstract, PPT, Video) are evaluated directly by the jury.
Selected projects are notified via email and advance to the Grand Finale.

Selection Method

The selection process will be conducted in two main stages:

Stage 1 - Abstracts & Prelims

Abstract submission is open to all school students between ages 12 and 17 via Pilot entry or Direct Entry.

A) Direct entry participants will be evaluated based on abstract submission. Selected innovative projects will be informed via email.

B) Pilot entry participants present projects in a preliminary round conducted by pilots. Winners move to finals.

Stage 2 - Grand Finale

Selected teams will present their projects before the jury during the finals.

Evaluation will be carried out based on criteria such as novelty, technical implementation, clarity of pitch, and expandability of the idea.

Methodology

The participants will be evaluated in either of the two modes: Pilot entry mode or Direct entry mode.
Direct entry mode is for participants from countries without Pilots and will be evaluated based on their submission of Abstract, PPT, and Video demonstration of their project.
Pilot entry mode will select eligible teams for participation by conducting a preliminary project competition at their venue.
Teams need to submit the problem statement and the detailed solution as a PPT for evaluation by experts/Jury.
Selected teams will be notified and asked to submit an executive summary and video demonstration of their project.
During the finale, teams will present their projects virtually, evaluated by the jury.
Prizes will be awarded based on jury, track chair, and general chair recommendations.

Sample Project Topics

Smart water-saving irrigation system using sensors
AI-based waste segregation and recycling solution
Solar-powered smart lighting for rural or public areas
Low-cost air quality monitoring system
Smart classroom tools to support inclusive education
Energy-efficient smart home automation for sustainability
Mobile app to reduce food waste in households
IoT-based flood or disaster early-warning system
Smart traffic management system to reduce emissions
Eco-friendly packaging solutions using smart materials

Previous Year Achivers(2025)

Gallery

For any Queries, please contact

Chair
Navaneethakrishnan R
Chair | Junior Einstein Track
Email ID:navaneethakrishnan@ieee.org
+91 99441 47137
Co-Chair
Renu Guntur
Co-Chair | Junior Einstein Track
Email ID: grenu@ieee.org
+91 6281 927 339

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can participate?

School students aged 12–17 worldwide.

2. Can I participate individually?

Yes, though teams of up to four are encouraged.

3. Are hardware projects allowed?

Yes, both software solutions and hardware-integrated projects are accepted.

4. What is the selection process?

Through preliminary evaluation (pilot or direct) followed by the grand finale.

5. Can I reuse ideas from previous competitions?

Projects should be original and specifically tailored for the current theme.