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In the face of rising environmental crises, there has never been a more pressing need for innovative, real-world solutions. As alarming headlines about climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss become increasingly common, the urgency to address them becomes all the more palpable.
Adequately tackling these concerns requires fresh perspectives and bold ideas—and who better to deliver them than the bright minds of the younger generations?
According to Dr. Fehmi Damkaci, President of Terra Science and Education and Dean of the D’Youville University School of Arts and Sciences, when it comes to the push toward an eco-conscious future, it’s imperative to start with the youngest population.
“If you introduce students to environmental concerns at an early age, you help them grasp the gravity of the situation. In turn, this understanding evokes a sense of urgency, inspiring them to think more critically about their role and place in solving these problems,” he says.
Seeking the best ways to apply this philosophy in real-life scenarios, Dr. Damkaci partnered with universities to establish a one-of-a-kind scientific competition—the GENIUS Olympiad.
The mission? To leverage the power of international education, teach young minds about the significance of the sustainability movement, and provide these students an opportunity – and a platform – to speak out and become an inseparable part of this pivotal discourse.
This international high school project competition, aligned with the UN’s sustainability goals (SDGs), focuses on environmental issues and encourages applicants to craft a project in several disciplines: science, engineering, art, short film, music, creative writing, robotics, and business.
“Students from any corner of the world can apply. If they’re chosen, they fly in to present their project,” Dr. Damkaci explains. “We’ve opened the door to many opportunities for our participants, from college scholarships to bolstering their college application resumes.”
Most importantly, however, as Dr. Damkaci reiterates, the GENIUS Olympiad has become a platform for young innovators and creators to showcase their talents and ideas in addressing environmental concerns.
The GENIUS Olympiad was designed to be a project-based competition for a simple and impactful reason. In traditional classrooms, learners often passively receive information. In contrast, project-based learning is a uniquely immersive and student-focused method that encourages them to actively engage with the material and apply their knowledge to tangible tasks and challenges.
“Learning shouldn’t just entail solving equations or memorizing facts. Our youngest generations are the leaders, scientists, and innovators of tomorrow. If we want to nurture these talents and help them make a difference, we need to ensure they’re active participants in the classroom instead of being mere spectators,” Dr. Damkaci shares.
And so, as the students immerse themselves in their projects, they have to dismantle complicated concepts, analyze the smallest of details, and compile various information from different sources.
For example, they might be tasked with creating a sustainable business model, an environmentally forward engineering solution, or producing a short movie highlighting some of the least discussed aspects of the fight to save the planet.
The hands-on projects ignite a deep fire within the students, motivating them to apply what they’ve learned in practical contexts. In addition, these intellectual exercises improve learners’ critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, arming them with the necessary tools to comprehend the problems of the modern world and with a genuine desire to solve them.
Undoubtedly, every individual has a unique perspective, and this diversity of thought is particularly valuable in addressing complex global issues. Through the GENIUS Olympiad, Dr. Damkaci emphasizes that the aim is to stop silencing the youngest voices in these critical conversations—an endeavor that has proved immensely successful since the competition first started.
With students from all over the world, the GENIUS Olympiad has become a melting pot of cultures, opinions, diverse perspectives, and ideas. Moreover, this impact of early sustainability education extends beyond the classroom—and the competition—as well. It becomes a virtuous cycle that promotes environmentally friendly choices and behaviors far into the future.
Dr Damkaci says, “When young people grasp the importance of sustainable living early on, they’re more likely to carry these values throughout their lives. They become well-informed citizens who make decisions that truly prioritize the environment.”
