Municipal Marvels Student Challenge (MMSC) 2025-2026
The Municipal Marvels Student Challenge invites Saskatchewan students, classrooms, and clubs in grades 5 and up to take on the role of innovators, problem-solvers, and community leaders. Working in teams, students will identify a real-world issue in their community – such as waste reduction, wastewater, energy use, water conservation, transportation, or the impacts of climate change – and research creative, sustainable solutions.
With guidance from teachers and mentors, students will develop a project plan that considers both science and social impact, drawing connections to curriculum areas such as Science, Social Studies, Arts Education, and Practical and Applied Arts.
MMSC culminates in a showcase where student teams present their ideas to municipal leaders from cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities at the 2026 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow. The authentic audience gives students a chance to see their work valued, spark dialogue about local issues, and build the skills needed for active citizenship and future-ready careers.
Program Goals:
Empower youth to think critically and creatively about real challenges facing their communities.
Foster collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Connect classroom learning to authentic, hands-on experiences.
Encourage civic engagement and inspire students to see themselves as contributors to Saskatchewan’s sustainable future.
By taking part in the Municipal Marvels Student Challenge, students don’t just imagine better communities – they help build them. Download the MMSC Participant Guide here.
Here’s How the Challenge Works:
Create your team. It could be your whole class, a group of students, or an afterschool club. We encourage as much student led activities as possible.
Submit your idea. Complete the initial submission form that identifies the local problem you are addressing, what your proposed solution is, and what 3D model your team will create to demonstrate their proposed solution.
Finalists are chosen. The MMSC Advisory Committee will review all submissions and select finalists to move forward in the challenge. Finalists will receive a bursary and will be paired with an industry mentor to assist and guide your group in developing a model and preparing a presentation.
Present your project. Finalists will present their projects and proposed solution on the main stage of the SUMA Convention in April 2026.
Meet the 2025 Municipal Marvels Student Challenge Finalists
Harbour Landing School (Regina) – Microplastic-Cleaning Robot for Wascana Lake
Harbour Landing students tackled the growing problem of microplastic pollution in Wascana Lake. After consulting with local scientists and city officials, they proposed an innovative, solar-powered robot that filters microplastics from the water without introducing new plastics into the ecosystem. Their design emphasizes environmental impact, cost-efficiency, and scalability to other bodies of water. Their presentation plan includes a recycled-materials model of Wascana Lake and the robot, supported by informational posters outlining the science, coding, and benefits behind their solution.
Watrous Elementary School – Reliable Green Power for Remote Communities
Responding to recurring power outages, the students from Watrous designed a solution to boost energy resilience by replacing power poles with underground lines and expanding the use of solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage. With guidance from local business owners and expert advice from a global clean energy leader, their plan is grounded in both practicality and innovation. Their project highlights the importance of renewable energy and infrastructure upgrades for small towns. Their final presentation includes both a physical model and a detailed digital explanation of their solution.
Drake School – Water Quality, Renewable Energy, Food Security, and Affordable Housing
This team of Drake students addressed four key community challenges: water quality, renewable energy, food security, and housing solutions. Their plan included installing a modern water purification system, adding solar panels and wind turbines to help create more sustainable energy solutions, creating a community garden to reduce reliance on imported food, and convert unused spaces into additional, affordable housing options. These combined efforts aim to improve health, sustainability, and local resilience. Their project includes a future-themed diorama, enhanced by an animated slide show showcasing their vision for Drake in 2050.
Our 2025 Municipal Marvels Student Challenge Winner was the Watrous Wonderkids
Pictured: Ryan and Ray Wang with their parents. Missing: Axel McArthur, Adam Jansen
MMSC Supporters & Sponsors
The following organizations were an integral part of the Municipal Marvels Student Challenge in 2025 and we are grateful for their continued support of this initiative.
Interested in getting involved as a sponsor or mentor? Contact Dave Loos at dloos@sasksciencecentre.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Saskatchewan Science Centre introduced the MMSC in 2024-2025 as an educational companion to the Cities of the Future documentary film showing in the Kramer IMAX Theatre. The film encouraged youth to imagine what their city might look like in 50 years, showcasing innovations in communities throughout the world.
Using the film as an inspiration the SSC and partners launched the MMSC to engage Saskatchewan youth in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), creating innovative solutions to environmental issues facing their communities. The youth participating in the challenge are the future STEAM leaders and innovators in our province.
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Primarily geared toward grades 5 to 8, although is open to mixed-age teams or students outside this range.
Flexible participation: classrooms, clubs, or student leadership teams.
Teams are encouraged to focus on a local issue and collaborate on developing innovative, sustainable solutions.
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To participate in the MMSC define your community in a way that is unique to you, your team, and the issue you have identified. It can be as big as a city or as small as a classroom, a farm, a town, or a neighbourhood. Some communities are urban, filled with busy streets, apartments, and local businesses; others are rural, surrounded by fields, forests, or lakes. No matter the size or setting communities are strongest when everyone contributes ideas and takes action to solve challenges and create positive change.
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Sustainability means taking care of the environment, economy, and people so communities can thrive now and in the future. In this challenge, students are encouraged to think about solutions that support healthier, more resilient, and inclusive communities.
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This program naturally ties into:
Science: climate, energy, environment
Social Studies: community needs, civic action
Arts & Technology: model-building, design, and presentations
ELA & Career Ed: communication, inquiry, and problem-solving
Download the Municipal Marvels Student Challenge Participant Guide for specific curriculum connections.
Municipal Marvels is proudly sponsored by the following businesses
Interested in getting involved as a sponsor or mentor? Contact Dave Loos at dloos@sasksciencecentre.com