News Post

Milan, Italy — From 18 to 21 November, ICS Milan and BES proudly hosted the Globeducate Academic Olympics 2025, welcoming students from 29 schools across the Globeducate network for a four-day journey of creativity, inquiry, and international collaboration. This year’s theme — UN SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities — invited participants to imagine how cities might evolve by 2050 to become greener, more inclusive, and more resilient.

What unfolded was an inspiring celebration of youthful ingenuity, teamwork, and global citizenship.

Day 1 — A Global Welcome & Opening Ceremony

The event began at ICS Milan with an energetic Opening Ceremony, where students met, mingled, and began building the friendships that define the Globeducate experience. Delegations kicked off the programme by presenting their “City Postcards”, introducing one another to the unique features of their hometowns.

A key highlight was an engaging talk by Mr. Carlo Giardinetti, who invited students to think boldly about the future of sustainable urban living. His interactive discussion ignited curiosity and set the tone for the week.

The day ended with a relaxed dinner at the Symbiosis Bar by Longoni, giving students the chance to recharge before diving into the challenges ahead.

Day 2 — Mission: Sustainable Milan & Innovation at the Museum

Students took to the streets for Mission: Sustainable Milan, a hands-on urban exploration experience that transformed the city centre into an open-air classroom. Through activities such as:

Urban Exploration Scavenger Hunt

Sustainable Cities Bingo: Milan Edition

Mini challenges at Castello Sforzesco, Parco Sempione, and the Duomo

Reflection through a Padlet activity

participants observed real-life examples of eco-friendly design, adaptive reuse, inclusion, and innovative mobility.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia “Leonardo da Vinci”. Here, students solved puzzles and clues across themes such as transport, energy, robotics, and engineering — all while exploring how past technologies inspire the future. The visit sparked lively discussions around the big question: “Which technologies will shape the cities of 2050?”

Day 3 — Designing the Visionary City of Tomorrow at BES

The third day took students to BES for the central challenge of the week: Design Your Visionary City of Tomorrow.

Working in international teams with defined roles — including Project Manager, Designer, Scientist, Reporter, Resource Manager, and Sustainability Expert — students spent the day:

• Developing systems maps and city vision statements

• Conducting scientific inquiry to support their ideas

• Completing an Innovation Task using Claim–Evidence–Reasoning

• Building 3D models entirely from recycled materials

• Preparing presentations for the final exhibition

The creativity on display was remarkable: concepts ranged from smart mobility networks and floating gardens to energy-positive districts and fully accessible community hubs.

Day 4 — Exhibition & Awards: Celebrating Innovation

The final day brought everyone back to ICS Milan for the much-anticipated Exhibition and Closing Ceremony. Students proudly presented their visionary cities to peers, teachers, and the wider Globeducate community.

Awards were presented across multiple categories, celebrating excellence, imagination, and collaboration:

• SDG 11 Champion Award - Agora Portals 

• Most Innovative Design Award - EIB Monceau and ICS London 

• Environmental Impact Award - Cambridge House British School 

• Most Feasible Future Award - Agora Barcelona 

• Best Teamwork Award - Agora Lledo Valencia 

• People’s Choice Award - Canadian school of Florence 

• Inclusive Innovation Award - Nobel Algarve Lagoa 

• Scientific Thinking Award - Mougins British School

The ceremony was a fitting celebration of the effort, thoughtfulness, and global spirit demonstrated by all participants.

A Global Community Building the Future Together

The 2025 edition of the Academic Olympics not only strengthened students’ STEAM and 21st-century skills, but also nurtured collaboration, scientific curiosity, and a sense of shared responsibility for our planet.

As one of the world’s leading premium K12 education groups, Globeducate ensures that every student learns what it means to be a global citizen — capable of shaping a better world. This year’s Academic Olympics was a powerful example of that mission brought to life.