VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENT CATEGORY

For vocational school students, participation is by group. Each group must consist of a minimum of three(3) students and maximum of six(6) students.

There are 4 levels comprised of multiple stages of learning sessions and hands-on sessions. Each level will test the student's understanding and application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

LEVEL 1

• This level is called the "Acquisition of Knowledge" level. At this level, students will learn the foundation knowledge in app building and STEM-inspired maker movements.
• New knowledge and input would be the key highlights of this level.

LEVEL 2

• This level is called "Life-Skill Development." At this level, students will be taught problem-solving, tenacity, collaboration, and lifelong learning experiences.
• They will also have the chance to consul the technical expert on the feasibility of their ideas.

LEVEL 3

• This level is called "Solving Real-Life Problems." At this level, students will apply what has been learned to daily life.
• The output of this session will be a prototype (App) that meets the set criteria.

LEVEL 4

• This level is the "Pitching". At this level, students will have to present the prototype developed in Level 3. Judges will determine the winner based on the rubric given.
• The judges will be industry experts led by the Northern Skills Development Centre (NSDC).

If you have any question(s), do GET IN TOUCH WITH US!

SEASO2023 Secretariat
c/o: SEAMEO RECSAM
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah
11700 Gelugor, Penang
MALAYSIA

Tel: +604 6522706
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Participation can be either individual or in a group. If participating as a group, the maximum number of members allowed is four.

There are four levels comprising paper-and-pencil tests, hands-on STEM challenges, and presentation challenges. Each level will assess students' understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The content will cover various science subjects, including physical science, life science, social science, formal science, and applied science, with the level of content tailored to the appropriate age category.

Level 1 (Science) & Level 2 (Mathematics)

In this level, each student will receive an answer sheet containing 60 questions. The questions, which will include both multiple-choice and subjective formats, will be displayed electronically at the front of the hall. Each question will appear for 45 to 60 seconds, depending on its difficulty level, before transitioning to the next one. Students must promptly record their answers on the answer sheet before the subsequent question is presented..

Each question will be displayed for a brief 2-second glimpse before the session concludes. After all answer sheets are collected by the Secretariat for marking, the coordinator will reveal the answers during the Answer Reveal session.

The winner in this category will be determined based on the highest number of correct answers. 

Level 3 (The Reverse Engineering STEM Challenge)

In this level, students will participate in groups of up to four, based on registration. Each group will receive a MYSTERY product, a Purchase Requisition Form (PR Form), paper, and a pencil. Students will be tasked with discussing and reverse engineering the product to develop a new prototype product with enhanced features, all while maintaining the original purpose of the product.

If the group finds that the existing items from the product are insufficient, students may opt to make a "purchase" by bringing the PR Form to the SEASO Mart. All purchases will be made using only the PR Form issued by the Secretariat. After collecting the additional materials from the SEASO Mart, the cashier will record the total purchase on the PR Form and return it to the group. Please note that NO REAL MONEY will be involved in this activity..

Students are then required to create a User Manual detailing how to assemble and operate the new prototype. The manual must be handwritten in English using pen or pencil on A4 paper..

Once the students have completed the task, they must submit the newly reverse-engineered prototype, the User Manual, and the PR Form to the Checkpoint Area. The officer at the Checkpoint Area will record the exact time the device is delivered.

This preliminary STEM level precedes Level 4. The records of the fastest completion time and the cost of the device will be used to determine the winners for the next level activity..

Level 4 (The Startup Pioneer Pitching Challenge)

In this level, students will conduct the challenge in groups. The purpose of this challenge is to enhance students' entrepreneurial, presentation, problem-solving, and mediation skills. The objective is to seek funders for the new prototype, which represents the product of a startup company.

Each group will be randomly called to the stage to present their reverse-engineered prototype developed in Level 3. Judging criteria include:

• Prototype Functionality: How well does the prototype work?
• Improvements/Upgrades: What enhancements have been made to the original prototype?
• User Manual: The clarity and usefulness of the user manual.
• Presentation Skills: How effectively do students communicate their ideas?
• Business Plan (optional): The feasibility and creativity of any business plan presented.
• Scientific Principles: The scientific concepts and principles applied in the prototype.

The students with the highest efficiency, multiple upgrades, a well-crafted User Manual, and a clear, well-pitched explanation of the scientific principles will win. 

**Tip: A well-developed Business Plan will provide an added advantage to the team during the presentation.

What is a SEASO?

The SEAMEO Science Olympiad (SEASO) 2025 is a unique platform of inspiration and scientific knowledge stimulation of future scientists and science academicians all over Southeast Asia and beyond. SEASO is also a venue for sharing and dissemination of information on all fields of science studies namely physical science, life science, social science, formal science, and applied science.

SEASO aims to stimulate scientific thinking and knowledge exploration amongst students in secondary school levels by applying knowledge into real-life technological problem-solving skills to address multiple issues including sustainable development. It plays a strong role in encouraging and involving young learners in pursuing science knowledge as well as to increase the awareness of young learners about the relationship between various science fields in daily lives. SEASO also aims to foster camaraderie and networking among these young learners during the event.

Who should participate?

The target group for this event is secondary and vocational school students (age between 13 to 18 years old) from Southeast Asian region especially the SEAMEO Member countries. All type of schools (public schools, private schools, international schools, home schooling, etc.) are welcome to send their students to SEASO. The number of participations are as follows:

Secondary and Vocational School

• Participation from secondary and vocational school students can be individual or a maximum of 4 students in a group only.

All school teachers are also encouraged to attend this event. Other interested parties such as parents, observers and the general public are welcome to join this event and register with the Secretariat.

When will it be conducted?

SEASO will be conducted on 19 to 23 May 2025 (Monday-Friday). Traveling day for all participants will be on Monday 19th May 2025. Everybody must arrive at the venue on 19th March 2025. The event will kick-start at 9.00am on 20th.

Where will it be conducted?

The venue for SEASO2025 will be at our campus; SEAMEO RECSAM, Penang, Malaysia. All activities and competition will be conducted in-campus except Grand Dinner which may be held in a nearby hotel.

How to participate in SEASO2025?

You may register online here. Notification will be sent to all registered contestant starting April 2025. The deadline for registration is 28 March 2025.