Speaking for Tomorrow Competition 2026 – A Day of Innovation at Imperial College London 

Over 150 students from across the country came together at Imperial College London for the Speaking for Tomorrow Competition 2026, an inspiring event that challenged young people to pitch innovative scientific ideas to tackle major environmental issues. Unlike traditional science competitions, this challenge required participants to think far beyond laboratory solutions. Students had to consider bioscience, geography, engineering, economics, and even politics—reflecting the complex realities of scaling a sustainable idea in the real world. 

Our students embraced this challenge wholeheartedly. Throughout the day, they were pushed to synthesise concepts from a range of disciplines and communicate their ideas with clarity, confidence, and scientific rigour. After each pitch, teams faced questions from an impressive panel of judges, including start-up entrepreneurs, PhD students, and university professors—all of whom probed the feasibility, innovation, and long-term impact of the proposed solutions. 

It was an intense but thoroughly enjoyable day—one that showcased the creativity, resilience, and scientific curiosity of every participant. We are proud to share that one of our teams achieved tremendous success by reaching the final, a remarkable accomplishment in a highly competitive national field. 

Their challenge was revealed just 45 minutes before presenting:
“How can changing education lead to a more sustainable future, and why is knowledge alone not enough?” 

Our team, consisting of Lower Sixth pupils Andrea, Emily C, Felicity, and Emily R, devised a brilliant business concept: an educational app that rewards students for eco-friendly behaviour. Users could upload evidence of sustainable actions—such as enjoying a meat-free meal or choosing to walk or cycle instead of travelling by car—and earn points that feed directly into school life. Their idea impressed both judges and audience alike, combining behavioural science, technology, and environmental awareness into a practical, scalable solution. 

Our students represented Eltham College with outstanding professionalism, creativity, and teamwork. We could not be prouder of their achievement in this national competition and look forward to seeing where their innovation takes them next.