STEMAIVERSE Heads to Jeddah with The Space Prize Foundation for the 'Future Innovator Challenge'

STEMAIVERSE Heads to Jeddah with the Space Prize KSA Future Innovator Challenge

July 5–7, 2026 — Effat University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

We’re thrilled to share that STEMAIVERSE has been selected as the on-the-ground delivery partner for the inaugural Space Prize KSA 'Future Innovator Challenge', hosted at Effat University this July. Together with the Space Prize Foundation, we’ll be running the flagship Jeddah Space Camp from July 5–7, 2026 — three days of astronaut talks, rocket builds, and AI-powered STEM exploration for 80–100 young innovators from across Jeddah.

The full official announcement from the Space Prize Foundation is below.

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Space Prize Launches First-Ever KSA Future Innovator Challenge, Advancing Vision 2030 Through Space Education and STEAM Leadership

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — The Space Prize Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing gender equity and youth participation in the space economy, announces the launch of the Space Prize KSA Future Innovator Challenge, empowering students ages 12–18 to shape the technologies of tomorrow.

Anchored in the Kingdom’s rapidly advancing STEAM ecosystem and fully aligned with Vision 2030, the Challenge invites students from across Saudi Arabia to explore the future of space, sustainability, and innovation through a multi-stage program that will include a flagship Jeddah Space Camp and a final awards ceremony held during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in October 2026.

“Our mission is to democratize access to space education. Saudi Arabia’s vision for technological advancement and its investment in young innovators make the Kingdom a pivotal launchpad for the future of space,” said Roman Chiporukha, Founder of the Space Prize Foundation. “At its core, Space Prize KSA reflects a simple but powerful belief: Saudi youth are ready to lead the world in the sciences of the future.”

Central to this mission is the support of Effat University, which serves as the academic and innovation hub for the program. As a pioneer in transformative education, Effat University provides the advanced infrastructure and research environment necessary to nurture young talent. By hosting the intensive Jeddah Space Camp in July 2026, the university acts as a bridge between classroom learning and the professional space industry, fostering an ecosystem where technical skill meets entrepreneurial vision.

The competition begins with the Mission: RedCode Challenge, in which schools nominate students to participate in the intensive Space Camp in July 2026. This camp will host 80–100 young innovators who will take part in hands-on workshops, mentorship sessions, and technical challenges led by industry educators. Performance at the camp, including teamwork, curiosity, participation, and initiative, will contribute to each student’s final evaluation. Qualifying participants will advance to the Innovation Video Challenge, submitting a two-minute concept video using animation, modeling, or digital tools. Judging emphasizes creativity, communication, and technical feasibility.

To ensure meaningful educational impact across the Kingdom, school participation in the Space Prize open-source curriculum is mandatory for student eligibility. During the national rollout, the Space Prize team will meet with principals, Heads of Science, and academic directors to introduce the curriculum and support its integration into coursework, STEM days, and after-school clubs.

Four top innovators will each receive high-value prizes and elite honors, along with ongoing mentorship and advanced experiential learning opportunities. Additional prizes and recognitions will be revealed during the program’s concluding moment at FII.

Saudi Arabia is a regional and global leader in advanced digital systems, AI infrastructure, satellite operations, and applied innovation. The Kingdom’s legacy in human spaceflight began in 1985 when Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud became the first Arab, first Muslim, and first Saudi to travel to space at just 28 years old. Saudi Arabia expanded this legacy by sending its first female astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi, to the International Space Station in 2023 alongside Ali AlQarni. This historic milestone signaled Saudi Arabia’s commitment to empowering women in science and expanding its role in human spaceflight. Space Prize KSA builds on this foundation by asking students to consider how technology has transformed life across the Kingdom, to imagine the innovations that will define Saudi society in 2040, to explore the nation’s role in future space missions, and to examine how space science connects to sustainability, climate resilience, and Vision 2030.

The Space Prize Foundation brings a proven global model to the Kingdom. Across its international challenges, the foundation has increased young women’s interest in STEM by 32% and engaged students in hands-on space experiences ranging from ZERO-G flights to CubeSat missions. Its open-source Space Education Curriculum, developed by practicing teachers and space experts, includes 8 modules, 40 sections, 500+ sources, and 135 educational videos, making it the world’s most comprehensive free resource for space education.

For program details, school participation guidelines, and updates on the KSA Challenge, visit spaceprize.org or contact Dr. Maryam Sani at drmaryam@spaceprize.org.

About the Space Prize Foundation

The Space Prize Foundation is a nonprofit committed to promoting universal space literacy and gender equity in STEAM to build a more hopeful, inclusive future for humanity. While the inaugural Space Prize Challenge was launched specifically for high school women in New York City, the foundation has achieved significant global scale. Following successful expansions into Paris and Portugal, the 2026 Space Prize Challenges have evolved to include both boys and girls, fostering a collaborative environment where all young innovators can thrive. The foundation has also created its Space Education Curriculum, the first open-source space curriculum, dedicated to preparing students for the growing space economy and humanity’s rapidly approaching multi-planet future.

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About STEMAIVERSE

STEMAIVERSE is a nonprofit on a mission to make AI-powered STEM education accessible to every young person, regardless of background or geography. As the delivery partner for the Space Prize KSA

Future Innovator Challenge, STEMAIVERSE is leading on-the-ground program execution in Jeddah — from school engagement and curriculum integration to running the Jeddah Space Camp at Effat University this July.

To nominate students, register your school, or get involved, visit stemaiverse.com/redcode or email hello@stemaiverse.com.