Winners of the "Learning Symphony Contest" Awarded Gold and Silver at the International Creativity & Innovation Award (ICIA) 2026 Global Finals in Cambodia!

The general incorporated association steAm BAND (President: Hiroshi Suzuki, Representative Director: Sachiko Nakajima, headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) organizes the "Learning Symphony Contest (STEAM Symphony Contest)," an inquiry-based competition that enables participants to realize their intellectual curiosity through dialogue with experts. In this year's contest, whose final judging presentation was held on March 1, 2026, winners were recommended to participate in the ICIA 2026 Global Finals through collaboration with the International Creativity & Innovation Award (ICIA). Five teams selected through this contest participated in the ICIA 2026 Global Finals in Cambodia as Japan's first national representatives and successfully won gold and silver awards.

The ICIA (International Creativity & Innovation Award) is an international learning platform aligned with the United Nations' "World Day for Creativity and Innovation." Young people from around the globe gather to develop solutions for SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and present their ideas before international experts. The 2026 Global Finals were held in Cambodia from April 24 to 26, with support from the country's STEM Education Organization (STEMEOC), the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Environment, and other government agencies, as well as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). A total of 553 participants from 50 countries, including representatives from 40 nations, took part in the event. Numerous outstanding research projects were presented, addressing topics ranging from everyday challenges to social issues. The event, where youthful energy and wisdom converged, became a major movement attracting international media attention.

Ms. Kaho Furuhashi (Salesian International Academy High School), who won the Grand Prize in the "3rd Learning Symphony Contest," presented research on the theme "Agriculture Independent of Temperature." At the contest's award ceremony, she received praise from judge Tetsuo Kobori as "an excellent inquiry project that skillfully integrates modern technology with life force." Her work received high acclaim in Cambodia as well, winning the gold award in the Innovation Award category. Other awardees also participated in the ICIA 2026 Global Finals with diverse ideas focusing on sound, ikebana (flower arrangement), disaster-preparedness food supplies, and groundwater, each earning silver awards.

In addition to contestants, 104 teachers from various countries and 140 experts from different fields participated in the event. Ms. Sachiko Nakajima, representative director of steAm BAND, spoke at the "EDUCATORS MEETALK" session for educators, delivering a presentation titled "Future Direction and Real Life Case Studies" in the session "Empowering Educators with AI to Create Meaningful, Inclusive, and Adaptive Learning Environments."

Applications are now open for the 4th Learning Symphony Contest! https://steam-band.com/mnb4/

The first information session is scheduled for July 2 (Tue) at 16:30 JST. From registration to submission, participants will have opportunities to engage in mentorship sessions with experts across various fields.

https://form.run/@4thcontestinfo

Finalists will earn the right to participate in ICIA2027, to be held in Indonesia, enabling them to connect with peers from around the world. We encourage all interested individuals to apply.

ICIA2026 Global Finals Japan Team Activity Report

Event Period: April 26–28, 2026 (3 days)

Event Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Japan Representatives in "Innovation Award":

Kaho Furuhashi (Salesian International Academy High School) / Gold Award at ICIA2026

Hiroyuki Okada (Kinki University Attached Hiroshima High School, Fukuyama Campus) / Silver Award at ICIA2026

3rd Year Electrical and Electronics Course, Yonago National College of Technology / Silver Award at ICIA2026

Regional Revitalization Department (Hyogo Prefectural Himeji Commercial High School) / Silver Award at ICIA2026

Kentarou Kariya, Meo Kariya (Team name: Ladybug’s future) (Hatsukaichi Municipal Sata Elementary School) / Silver Award at ICIA2026

Messages from ICIA2026 Japanese Awardees

I was delighted to receive the gold award at ICIA. During the poster session, although I could understand English, I struggled to fully express my ideas, and I initially thought winning an award would be difficult. However, because I had continuously reflected on "how to communicate with others" since the Japanese national contest, I am truly glad my efforts paid off. Also, through interacting with people from diverse nationalities at the global finals, I discovered the joy of international exchange. Every moment, from preparation to presentation, was an irreplaceable experience. Thank you very much. (Kaho Furuhashi)

Being able to present our project to the entire world in English and international sign language during the one week of ICIA2026 was an irreplaceable experience for us. Although we were disappointed not to win the gold award, we will continue moving forward, sharing our project with people worldwide, including those with disabilities, not just the able-bodied.

Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to all the many people involved in our project: "សូមអរគុណ (Thank you). លាហើយ (See you again!)" (Regional Revitalization Department, Hyogo Prefectural Himeji Commercial High School)

At the global finals, I was greatly inspired to see so many people, just like us, thinking about how to help those in need and coming up with wonderful ideas. I will further improve my presentation and English skills so that next time, I will surely win the gold award. (Kentarou Kariya)

Even if I couldn't express myself perfectly in English, the best memory was exchanging snacks and interacting with many people. This time, I experienced creating videos and materials for the first time, and I also learned the joy of researching. I would like to continue thinking about robot ideas together with my younger brother. (Meo Kariya)

The global finals in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, became an irreplaceable experience for me. I was given the opportunity to present my concept "YURA RHYTHM LABO" on an international stage, and I truly felt the joy of my ideas transcending language and cultural barriers. The silver award is thanks to everyone who supported me. I am deeply grateful. With this experience as my foundation, I will further expand initiatives connecting people and communities through sound and rhythm, starting from Fukuyama. (Hiroyuki Okada)

We are very happy to have participated in the ICIA Global Finals and received the silver award. In the English poster presentation, we experienced both the fun and difficulty of conveying our message effectively. Furthermore, through cultural exchanges with students from various countries, we experienced a festival-like sense of unity beyond borders. We also consider it a valuable asset to have connected with other curious and passionate Japanese students. Through this event, our research has gained new perspectives, further increasing our motivation for future studies. (3rd Year Electrical and Electronics Course, Yonago National College of Technology)

Message from Mr. Antonius Marem Bales, CEO of KRYA GLOBAL, the organization operating ICIA

(Original)

It is an absolute privilege to welcome Japan’s brilliant young innovators to the ICIA 2026 Global Round in Cambodia. The integration of Japanese ingenuity into this year’s event establishes a premier platform for meaningful exchange, driving fresh perspectives and collaborative growth among students, educators, and industry leaders. We are overjoyed to have them join us in pushing the boundaries of what the next generation can achieve.

Congratulations on your achievements!

(Japanese translation)

We are deeply honored to welcome Japan’s talented young innovators to the ICIA 2026 Global Finals in Cambodia. The integration of Japanese creativity into this year’s event has created a premier platform for meaningful exchange, fostering fresh perspectives and collaborative growth among students, educators, and industry leaders. We are overjoyed that their participation has helped push boundaries and expand the possibilities for the next generation.

Congratulations on your achievements.

About the General Incorporated Association steAm BAND

Founded by Ms. Sachiko Nakajima, representative director of steAm Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Sachiko Nakajima, headquarters: Toshima Ward, Tokyo), who served as producer of the signature pavilion "Playground of Life: Jellyfish Pavilion" (theme project: "Enhancing Life") at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and with Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki (Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo) serving as Chairperson, steAm BAND has been promoting a transformative approach to play and learning (learning) both in Japan and abroad since 2022. Since 2025, this contest has served as the Japanese National Selection for ICIA, and in April 2026, the first Japanese team participated in the global finals.

This contest is not a competitive arena, but rather a collaborative space to think together with experts. We especially encourage participation from those who think, "I don't have a clear idea yet" or "I'm not sure what to research." Throughout the process, from registration to final submission, participants have opportunities to engage in dialogue with expert mentors across various fields. Through these encounters and conversations, participants transform their inner curiosity and ideas into tangible projects.

In 2027, the global finals will be held in Indonesia, and the Japanese team plans to participate for the second time via winners of the Learning Symphony Contest. Preparations are currently underway for Japan to host the ICIA Global Finals in 2028.

Anyone who wishes to stand on the world stage, share their inquiry projects with children worldwide in English, and engage in mutual inspiration and growth is encouraged to participate in the steAm BAND-hosted "Learning Symphony Contest."

Schedule for This Year's "Learning Symphony Contest (STEAM Symphony Contest)"

June: Entry period begins

July 2 (Tue) 16:30–: Information session

August: Mentorship booking opens

October–November: Expert mentorship sessions

December: Entry and research submission deadline

January: Finalists selected

February–March: Final judging and award winners announced

April: Participation in ICIA Global Finals

(Note: Schedule is subject to change)

※ To enter the Learning Symphony Contest, you must first register as a friend on LINE. Please register via the link below.

https://lin.ee/q8PR1KI8

※ To register for the 4th Learning Symphony Contest information session, please sign up via the link below.

https://form.run/@4thcontestinfo

※ 4th Learning Symphony Contest official website

https://steam-band.com/mnb4/

<Inquiries>

steAm BAND Secretariat

steamband@steam21.com