PolyU Design Hatch Awards 2026

 

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Incubate your way to creative ideas

The PolyU Design Hatch Awards: A Unique Design and Innovation Incubation Programme for Secondary School Students

Join the PolyU Design Hatch Awards, a dynamic design incubation and award programme open to all secondary school students in Hong Kong, or those who are taking the HKDSE curriculum. Whether you are passionate about art and design or fascinated by STEM and problem-solving, this is your chance to collaborate with like-minded peers, explore new ideas, and push the boundaries of creativity. Bring your unique perspective—be it from science, technology, business, or the arts—and transform bold concepts into impactful solutions.

 

#PolyUDesignHatchAwards

 

 

 

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Theme: Designing STEM/STEAM Learning Tools

Details:

Design is increasingly becoming integrated with technology today, the world calls for students who can think creatively, collaborate effectively, and adapt to change. The PolyU Design Hatch Awards challenge you to design innovative STEM/STEAM learning tools that empower students or anyone at different educational levels to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and interdisciplinary knowledge.

Your mission? Go beyond traditional classroom resources by blending science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into engaging solutions that spark curiosity and foster inclusive learning environments. Submissions can include hands-on kits, curriculum modules, and/or hybrid solutions that combine physical and virtual learning experiences.

We are looking for ideas that showcase user-focused design, flexible learning capabilities, and real-world impact. Winning designs will be featured in a public exhibition, and shortlisted participants will join the Hatch Programme in which they will receive guidance and feedback from experts to turn concepts into impactful solutions.

The Hatch Awards is not just about creating tools—it is about reimagining education, helping students thrive academically, and preparing them for global challenges. Ready to innovate? Collaborate, create, and make a difference!

 

First Round:

Under the common brief above, participants are invited to submit their relevant works during First Round.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to grow as a designer and potentially become the next generation of innovative problem identifiers and solvers. Team up with fellow students and embark on an innovative journey. Get your teacher’s nomination to enter the awards and let your creativity soar!

*Submission format is stated below.

Final Round:

Participants who are shortlisted will advance to Final Round, where they will take part in an exclusive one-day Hatch Programme. The Programme is designed to help participants develop a comprehensive understanding of design and acquire essential skills to improve their design proposals. This immersive experience culminates in a final presentation with prototypes, where participants have the chance to showcase their newly honed abilities and creative concepts.

 

 

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Application & Timeline

Eligibility

• The Awards are open to:
  •  Students from Local Secondary Schools or Local International Schools in Hong Kong who are studying in Secondary 1 to 6 / Grade 7 to 12 / Year 8 to 13, or an equivalent level, in the academic year of 2025/26; or
  •  Students studying the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) curriculum outside of Hong Kong, and participants must attend all in-person sessions.
  
  
• Each school may register multiple teams, provided that no team has the same combination of students. Each student can only submit ONE application
• No limit on the number of students to join The Awards.

Team Formation

• Students can join either as a group of TWO to THREE from the same school or solo participation (ONE-MAN TEAM).
• One student can only join one team.

Hatch & Share: Insight Lecture

• The Insight Lecture will be held on 24 February 2026 (Tue), from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
• [Registration Closed] Register HERE (Deadline: 23 February 2026 9:00 AM, Hong Kong Time) to secure your seat to get first-hand information about the 2026 Awards!

Registration

• First Round registration deadline is 20 March 2026 (Fri) at 12:00 (noon) (HK Time). (Extended)
• A team name must be submitted during registration (applicable for both individual and group registrations).
• Designated submission links and folder with your team number and name will be sent to your email after registration.
• Registration is free of charge.
• No changes to team members are permitted after registration.
• By submitting an application, the participating team acknowledges and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Awards.
  Late registration will not be accepted.

Submission

• First Round submission deadline is 21 March 2026 (Sat) at 23:00 (HK Time). (Extended)
• All First-Round submission files must be uploaded to the assigned designated link.
• Project title must be included in the submission form.
• The submission link will be deactivated after the deadline. No modifications will be permitted thereafter.
• The combined file size of all slides must not exceed 35 MB. Optional video submissions must not exceed 250 MB.
• Any use of artificial intelligence or generative tools in your project must be declared and precisely stated in your submission.
• Any concurrent participation in other competitions with the same project must be declared.

 

 

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PolyU Design Hatch Awards 2026 Shortlist Result

The PolyU Design Hatch Awards 2026 offers secondary students an opportunity to explore creativity and discover the potential of design. This year’s theme, “Designing STEM/STEAM Learning Tools,” invited proposals aimed at supporting learning through thoughtful, innovative design. We are grateful for the many inventive and enthusiastic submissions received from schools across the region.

After a comprehensive review, the shortlisted teams are listed below:

 

Congratulations to all shortlisted teams! Further details regarding the next stage of the competition will be sent to your email shortly.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to every team that participated this year. The breadth of ideas and commitment displayed by all entrants truly reflect the spirit of design exploration.

As with every themed competition, some projects resonated more strongly with the focus of this year’s brief. The review panel placed particular emphasis on how clearly each submission addressed the idea of STEM/STEAM learning tools, and this naturally shaped the final shortlist. We hope this provides helpful insight for teams as you continue developing your creative thinking and design approaches.

Even if your team is not advancing to the next round, we encourage you to keep building on your concepts and to consider joining us again in future editions. Many strong ideas emerge through iteration, and we look forward to seeing how your creativity continues to grow.

Thank you once again for your participation and passion. We hope the experience has inspired you, and we warmly invite you to stay connected with PolyU Design and future events.

 

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Timeline

 

23 February 2026 (Mon) 09:00 (HK Time)	Hatch & Share: Insight Lecture Registration Deadline
24 February 2026 (Tue)	Hatch & Share: Insight Lecture
20 March 2026 (Fri) at 12:00 noon (HK Time)	First Round registration deadline (extended)
21 March 2026 (Sat) at 23:00 (HK Time)	First Round submission deadline (extended) (with a teacher as team advisor)
25 March 2026 (Wed)	Shortlist announced for Final Round
3 April 2026 (Fri)	One-day Hatch Programme for finalists
17 May 2026 (Sun) 23:00 (HK Time)	Final online submission deadline
25 May 2026 (Mon)	Final Presentation & Prize Presentation Ceremony
September 2026 - October 2026 (tentative)	Public Exhibition of Winning and Selected Projects

 

 

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Submission Briefs

1. First Round Submission
   The participating team is required to submit the followings in the First Round:
   •  Design images 10-20 pages slides (A4 – design process images, draft etc.)
   •  Optional: demo video (max. 1 minute long, MP4 format)
2. Final Round Submission
   The Organizer will notify the shortlisted teams of the shortlist result via email on 25 March 2026 (Wed).

What to prepare:

• Prototype Development & Video
  Each team must submit a prototype(s). It can give judges a better understanding of the actual design (3D form, size), ergonomic testing, working principles, and material selection, etc. It also helps each team develop better video(s) to explain design thinking, product scenarios, and ecosystem etc.
• Presentation
  Qualified design teams will be invited to participate in presentations and Q&A sessions. All materials for Final Round must be prepared and submitted in English.
• Exhibition
  Winning and selected projects will be showcased in a public exhibition. Exhibitors will be required to submit their models or prototypes and all textual and visual materials for the display.

 

 

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Finalists’ Entitlements and Obligations

Hatch Programme
The teams entering the Final Round will be offered an exclusive workshop and/or tutorials

The judging panel is formed by representatives from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and design industry.

 

Assessment Criteria

First Round
Research / Insights	40%
Sketch / Concept design	40%
Overall quality	20%

 

Final Round
Innovation: Originality of concept and creative integration of STEM/ STEAM disciplines.	25%
Impact: Potential to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.	25%
Presentation: Prototype, video	25%
Process report: Research, design, prototyping, testing, etc.	25%

 

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Jury Panel for Final Round

Mr Lee Chi Wing


Mr Lee Chi Wing is an accomplished product designer, educator, and founder of MILK DESIGN. Known for his empathy-driven approach, he emphasises design as a tool for cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and social impact. His dual role as practitioner and educator allows him to inspire emerging talents while upholding rigorous design standards. With a philosophy that aligns closely with the mission of the PolyU Design Hatch Awards, Mr Lee is highly suited to guide and evaluate innovative, socially meaningful design.


Frédéric Gooris

Frédéric Gooris is an award-winning industrial designer and founder of Studio Gooris, with a career spanning Milan and Hong Kong. He has collaborated with renowned figures such as Philippe Starck and Stefano Giovannoni, contributing to projects for global brands including Alessi, Lavazza, Nissan, and Siemens. Beyond his studio practice, he co-founded Bombol and Crisp Vision Company, showcasing his entrepreneurial drive and commitment to design-led innovation. With his blend of European sensibility, Asian market insight, and proven ability to merge creativity with commercial success, Gooris exemplifies the values of the PolyU Design Hatch Awards and inspires the next generation of designers.


Prof. Yi-Teng Shih

Prof. Yi‑Teng Shih is an experienced designer whose portfolio spans consumer electronics and healthcare devices, with collaborations for companies such as Brookstone, RadioShack, beurer, FORA, and JustHerb. He has built strong links between universities and industry, and under his supervision, projects have earned over 60 international design awards and 12 patents in recent years, including Reddot, IDEA, A’ Design, European Product Design, and IDA awards. He has also served as a jury member for the International DesignNest Award. Prof. Shih holds a PhD from the University of Newcastle, Australia, where he received multiple research prizes. His expertise lies in design cognition, media, and education, and he has published widely in journals and book chapters such as Design Studies.

 

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Enquiry

If you have questions, get in touch with us.
Tel: 3400 3439
Email: hatch@polyu.edu.hk
Website: www.polyudesign.com/hatch
Follow @polyudesignug on Instagram for the latest updates!

#PolyUDesignHatchAwards