STEAM AHEAD: International Junior Informatics Olympiad (IJIO) Global Finals
Click Here: STEAM AHEAD 2025 Info Request Form
International Junior Informatics Olympiad (IJIO) Global Finals– previously DrCT Global Finals focuses on computational thinking and block programming. Gaining an understanding and training in these areas are crucial for several reasons, as they provide foundational skills and knowledge that contribute to success in robotics and broader problem-solving domains. IJIO GF emphasizes the following areas:
1. Developing Computational Thinking: Computational thinking involves breaking down complex problems
into manageable parts, recognizing patterns, abstracting problems to a manageable level, and creating
step-by-step solutions. These skills are crucial not only in programming but in robotics as well, where problems
often need to be decomposed into simpler, executable tasks.
2. Understanding Basic Programming Concepts: Block programming introduces students to fundamental
programming concepts like loops, conditionals, variables, and functions in a visual and intuitive way. This form
of programming is less intimidating for beginners and helps build a strong foundation in how programming
logic and structure work, which is essential when progressing to more complex programming languages.
3. Facilitating a Smooth Transition to Text-Based Coding: Once students are comfortable with the logic and
structure of block programming, the transition to text-based programming is less daunting The concepts
remain the same, but the medium changes, and students are better prepared to handle syntax and more
abstract elements of programming.
This international competition is open to Grade 1 to Grade 13 (Primary 1 to A-Lvls/STPM) Malaysian students who have won Gold/ Silver/ Bronze Award in IJIO 2026. Students who have won 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱/ 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿/ 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘇𝗲 Award in AMO 2025, SMGF 2025, SASMO 2026 or SIMOC-MO 2026 are also invited to join STEAM AHEAD:IJIO in Shenzhen, China!
<DOWNLOAD STEAM AHEAD INFO BOOKLET HERE>
Date
Grade Level: 1 to 13 (Primary 1 to A-Lvls/STPM)
Language(s): English
𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 11-16 December 2026 @ TBC
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆: TBC
𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: CLOSED
How to Register
Step 1: Fill in the Info Request Form:
*Note that this is not the Registration Form
.
Step 2: Invitation will be sent to your email when you are eligible to participate.
*Take note that Info Request Form is not “Registration Form” 🙂
Format
Refer to Info Pack for Format (Pg37-pg45)
Sample Question
Awards
The following awards will be given out for the contest:
IJIO Global Finals
International Junior Informatics Olympiad (IJIO) Global Finals
IJIO Overall Championship awards are given to the top 3 winners per grade level from grades 1 to 13 based on IJIO Individual Score (must be Gold award) and team score. They will be announced during the award ceremony.
| Overall Champion | SGD250 SIMCC Contest Voucher |
| Overall Runner-up | SGD 150 SIMCC Contest Voucher |
| Overall 2nd Runner-up | SGD 100 SIMCC Contest Voucher |
In the event of any ties, we will give the winners the same position. For example, if two contestants score 90 points and the third contestant scores 87 points, we will grant 2 overall champions (with the prize money split between them) and an overall 2nd runner-up.
OVERALL CHAMPION AWARDS – PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) – PAExS and PAExS Star Award
The top performing contestants who win all 2 out of 5 Individual Gold Awards in IJMO, VIJSO GF, IJIO GF, IJCO GF and IJAO will be honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in STEAM (PAExS).
For Grades 3 to 11 (1 winner per grade)
STEAM AHEAD (A COMBINATION OF 5 COMPETITIONS – IJMO, VIJSO GF, IJIO GF, IJCO GF, IJAO)
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. STEAM AHEAD is our initiative to combine our international academic competitions to educate students and bring them international exposure about possible career choices in these fields.
1. IJMO – Math Olympiad Individual Award
2. Vanda International Junior Science Olympiad (VIJSO) Global Finals – previously VANDA Global Finals Individual Award
3. Vanda International Junior Science Olympiad (VIJSO) Global Finals – previously VANDA Global Finals Team Award
4. International Junior Informatics Olympiad (IJIO) Global Finals – previously DrCT Global Finals Individual Award
5. International Junior Informatics Olympiad (IJIO) Global Finals – previously DrCT Global Finals Team Award
6. International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO) Global Finals Individual Award
7. International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO) Global Finals Team Award
8. International Junior Arts Olympiad (IJAO) – previously SIAT Global Finals Individual Award
9. IJMO Overall Champion, Runner-up, 2nd Runner-Up in each grade level
10. VIJSO Global Finals Overall Champion, Runner-up, 2nd Runner-Up in each grade level
11. IJIO Global Finals Overall Champion, Runner-up, 2nd Runner-Up in each grade level
12. IJCO Global Finals Overall Champion, Runner-up, 2nd Runner-Up in each grade level
13. President’s Award for Excellence in STEAM (PAExS) winners in IJMO, VIJSO Global Finals Individual & IJIO Global Finals Individual
PAExS Award
The top performing contestants who win all 2 out of 5 Individual Gold Awards in IJMO, VIJSO Global Finals , IJIO Global Finals , IJCO Global Finals and IJAO will be honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in STEAM (PAExS).
These contestants will be awarded a PAExS Trophy, certificate and International Junior Honor Society (IJHS) Induction.
PAExS Star Award
The top performing contestants who win all 3 out of 5 Individual Gold Awards in IJMO, VIJSO Global Finals, IJIO Global Finals, IJCO Global Finals and IJAO will be honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in STEAM (PAExS).
These contestants will be awarded a PAExS Platinum medal and certificate plus get inducted into the International Junior Honor Society (IJHS) and win a full scholarship to attend the Young Achievers Leadership Academy (YALA).
STEAM AHEAD 2026 is brought to you by SIMCC in collaboration with Scholastic Trust Singapore Limited and our global partners in over 35 countries and territories.
At each STEAM AHEAD event, we will start to promote linkages across the subjects so that it will up-skill students and boast their interest in STEAM.
Our goal is to help our students get into professional paths that are future proof. Our society’s demand for technically driven roles is rising and therefore it is crucial that students are encouraged to get qualifications in Science, Technology, and related fields. By getting qualifications that will allow students to work in innovative fields, they are guaranteed to have fulfilling and well-paid professions.