DWIGHT GLOBAL VISIONS
A NEWSLETTER FOR THE GLOBAL DWIGHT
COMMUNITY
SPRING 2026
NEW YORK
LONDON
SEOUL
SHANGHAI
DUBAI
HANOI
JERSEY
GLOBAL VISIONS
VOLUME 12: Sparkathon
The Dwight-Franklin Network of schools recently facilitated its fourth annual Global Sparkathon. April 18 and 19, 2026, was a truly incredible weekend as nearly 100 of our talented Lions and Tigers from grades 6-12 formed 30 teams to compete in the weekend-long hackathon aimed at solving the world’s biggest problems.
This year we partnered with the renowned Villars Institute to take on challenges focused on the theme “Life on Land.” Four judges from Villars assessed the projects, and they were quite impressed with what our students created. Congratulations to Dwight Seoul, Dwight London, and Franklin School for the following wins!
Best Overall Solution
Dwight Seoul - Wave Energy
Best Social Impact
Dwight London - Aquarise Ethiopia
Most Innovative Idea
Franklin School - Project Phoenix
Best Pitch
Franklin School - Stitch Sisters
In this edition of Global Visions , see and read more about our winners, and all the amazing work that took place at each campus…
Sparkathon at Dwight New York
Participation in this year’s Sparkathon was strong at Dwight New York, with younger students coming out in higher numbers than previous years. In addition, projects have gotten stronger, a testament to the evolution of the competition over time, and what our students bring to the design table.
“I would say that the projects are getting a lot more practical, a lot more applicable, which is amazing,”
Head of Design and Global Spark Programs Director Lesa Wang said. “And I see real care from the kids, real concern.”
This all comes to life through the intense research that the students are engaged in. Where in the past, many teams
came up with their ideas, and then researched, Dwight New York teams all took time to do ample research, which was then applied to their solutions.
Thanks to this year’s connection with the Villars Institute, Dwight’s Science Department was more active in Sparkathon than in years past as well. Another highlight of the fourth year for Ms. Wang is how new connections were made in our community. She said, “I love the fact that kids who have been in the same grade for a long time, but not necessarily in the same friend groups, came together.”
Making new connections — to knowledge, to friends, and to the world — and making lasting change. It was a truly successful weekend.
This year, Maleha ’29 and Abyssinia ’29 represented London at the Sparkathon. They reflected the theme of “Life On Land” by researching the problems of drought and famine in arid places as team Aquarise Ethiopia, and their solution was judged the Best Social Impact at the end of competition!
“The product we are designing will create more water, irrigating the land and improving biodiversity. This gives people the opportunity to grow more crops to reduce famine, but also introduces more jobs because it increases agriculture,” says Maleha.
The project was partially inspired by Abyssinia’s childhood growing up in Ethiopia. “I was shocked when I found out that Ethiopia has approximately 11.1 million hectares for pastoral farming, but only uses 10% of it,” says Aby.
The girls worked hard on researching approaches to water collection and irrigation systems, discovering how they work and the issues that they could run into, or cause in, the communities they are deployed in.
“The problem with a lot of the approaches is maintenance costs,” says
Sparkathon at Dwight London
Aby, “and they interrupt the natural interaction with the environment. We wanted to create something that integrates with the culture it is part of.”
Eventually, they discovered Warka Towers, mesh structures that passively collect water from the air, without any intrusive or high-maintenance machinery. They spent their remaining time during Sparkathon designing different prototypes that could be deployed — one step closer to solving the problems of drought and famine.
After the phenomenal achievement of Kimchi Boys in 2025, three teams stood out at the Sparkathon in 2026: Buzz Buzz, tackling the decline of bee populations in urban environments; Banana Kick, addressing “Nutrient Spike Filters for Healthier Oceans;” and Kimchi Boys, presenting “Wave Energy Harvesting via Piezoelectric Impact Design.” Congratulations again this year to Kimchi Boys for having the Best Overall Solution of all campuses!
Throughout the event, students identified global issues such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, and then designed novel solutions. This process encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, as each team combined research, design, and practical testing to develop their ideas.
Ms. Jeein, Head of the Design Department, shared, “Sparkathon was a powerful demonstration of student creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. It was inspiring to see students engage deeply with real-world challenges and develop thoughtful, innovative solutions.”
Students explored renewable energy, environmental protection, and biodiversity through hands-on projects. They brought their ideas to life by building prototypes, demonstrating both creativity and practical application. Beyond the projects, Sparkathon fostered a strong sense of community on campus, where students shared ideas, learned from one another, and presented with confidence.
Overall, it was a memorable experience that inspired innovation, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of global issues.
Sparkathon at Dwight Seoul
Sparkathon at Qibao Dwight High School
Sparkathon, centered on the theme of Life on Land, was a highly successful and immersive 48-hour experience that brought the entire school community into focused, creative engagement. Students anchored their work in sustainability development goals and planetary boundaries, ensuring that their ideas were not only innovative but globally relevant. Working across year levels and disciplines, they collaborated to design and build an impressive range
of projects, including a full board game, interactive websites, functional seed germination systems, and detailed pitches on aqua terrace farming.
The event maintained a constant sense of momentum, with students and teachers fully engaged throughout. Teams iterated quickly, tested ideas, and refined their work in a bustling, high-energy environment. Students reported feeling both challenged and proud of what they accomplished.
Steven Shen ’28, who presented a proposal to fully revamp terrace farming, described the experience as “amazing, interactive, and inspiring.”
Equally notable was the confidence students demonstrated in presenting to judges, handling questions with poise and clarity. Sparkathon ultimately showcased the power of interdisciplinary, student-driven learning executed at a high level.
Last Year’s Sparkathon Winners:
“We
Are Here to Win”
Where Are They Now?
Though Dubai was unable to compete in this year’s Sparkathon due to unforeseen circumstances, last year’s Sparkathon brought together some of our most innovative young thinkers, challenging them to tackle realworld problems with creativity, collaboration, and purpose.
One year on, members of Team “We Are Here to Win,” the Overall Winner of the Global Sparkathon, continue to build on that momentum, applying their ideas in new contexts, pursuing exciting opportunities, and further developing the skills that set their projects apart. From deepening their focus on sustainable design to exploring cutting-edge innovation programs, their continued journeys are a testament to the lasting impact of the Sparkathon experience.
Aidan ’29
“Taking part in the Sparkathon changed the way I think about design. It encouraged me to focus more on real-world problems and how design can positively impact people in different communities. Since then, I’ve become more mindful of sustainability, the materials I use, and how my ideas can be adapted for different environments. The experience also gave me greater confidence in developing creative and purposeful design solutions.”
Hugo ’29
“Since winning the Sparkathon, I was accepted into an innovation program called The Knowledge Society (TKS), where I collaborate on projects with organizations such as Harvard University and the United Nations. As part of the program, I’ve been developing a year-long ‘focus’ project exploring the use of smart home technology to support individuals living with dementia.
Interestingly, this experience has felt like an extension of Sparkathon on a much larger scale, incorporating pitching, prototyping, and final presentations. The process and skills I developed during Sparkathon have had a direct impact on how I approach my work now, allowing me to navigate complex projects more efficiently and with greater confidence.”
Sparkathon at Dwight Hanoi
Four enthusiastic teams competed in this year’s Sparkathon, presenting innovative sustainability solutions. In addition to being judged globally by judges from Villars, projects were evaluated at Dwight School Hanoi by an external panel of judges, including Bá Nghĩa, Founder of AgriBeacon; Nguyễn Sơn, Business Development Manager at Taureau.AI; and Nguyen Tuan, Founder and Chairman of NURA Vietnam.
The award for Best Overall Project at our campus went to Team Rooted (Zia, Tom, and Nhat Quang - Grade 8), for their biological bamboo water filtration system designed to provide cleaner water for agricultural use. The project stood out for its practicality, with the team already working with local farmers in Vietnam to implement the solution.
Team Eco Loop, composed of Akari, Steve, and Antoan (Grade 11), developed a “Plastic-toVoucher” recycling machine and research platform aimed at addressing Hanoi’s plastic waste crisis through incentives and technology-driven solutions.
The Most Innovative Idea award at Hanoi was presented to team “The Teamis,” Jake, Yeegeon, and Alex (Grade 10), for Invisible Drivers, a digital platform encouraging environmental action through gamified conservation experiences.
Team 2, made up of Chansol and Hyunwoo (Grade 7), explored sustainability through an educational board game focused on protecting sea life and raising awareness around ocean conservation.
Reflecting on the event, Deputy Head of School Mr. Jason Hayte shared that Sparkathon empowered students to become “bold thinkers, compassionate innovators, and confident global change-makers.”
Sparkathon at Franklin School
Franklin School, which won two of the last three competitions, continued as a force to be reckoned with during Sparkathon 2026. Franklin took Most Innovative Idea (Aisha Ibrahim ’27 was a team of one, Project Phoenix, who delved into AIdriven fungal analysis, satellite imagery, drone deployment, biodegradable seed pods, biochar, and microbial restoration) and Best Pitch by the Stitch Sisters (watch the video and many other highlights above).
But it wasn’t all about the wins. Director of Innovation Jaymes Dec said, “The most notable development this year was the unprecedented level of student participation, with a half-dozen groups participating to help create sustainable solutions to real world problems.”
Projects demonstrated a marked shift toward applied experimentation and prototype development, with students prioritizing hands-on research, testing, and iterative design processes over purely theoretical planning. In an ambitious
undertaking, a group transported 30 gallons of water from the Hudson River to campus in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-designed filtration system. Mr. Dec remarked, “Such logistical obstacles couldn’t stop them, underscoring the persistence and adaptability that characterized this year’s work.”
The groups’ emphasis on practical innovation fostered significant ingenuity and resilience among participants. When a soil moisture sensor could not be obtained in time, students engineered a functional alternative, using basic materials: nails and wire. As such, not only did they successfully build their prototype, they made it affordable by creating it with materials that were already on hand.
Sparkathon 2026 showcased Franklin students’ creativity, resilience, and commitment to developing practical solutions for real-world environmental challenges. Through hands-on experimentation and innovation, our students once again proved that determination and collaboration can drive meaningful change.
Sparkathon at Dwight Global Online
Over the course of Sparkathon weekend on Dwight New York’s campus, Dwight Global Online students demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and confidence while working on projects connected to sustainability and environmental awareness. Representing a range of grade levels, students worked in teams to research real-world challenges, prototype ideas, and present their solutions to peers from across the Dwight network.
One team, made up of Immy Dowse ’29, Gregory Camacho ’29, and Rebecca Jacoby ’30, developed and prototyped an extension piece for car exhaust systems designed to help reduce and contain carbon monoxide emissions. Their project combined environmental research with practical problem-solving and showcased impressive teamwork between Middle and Upper School students.
A second team, consisting of Penelope Boag ’32, Perry Boag ’31, Edgar Lyashchuk ’31, Cashel Kay ’32, and Davidson Jackson ’30, focused on coral reef conservation. After researching the impact of coral bleaching on marine ecosystems, the group created models comparing healthy and bleached coral reefs and envisioned organizing a tennis tournament to raise awareness and funding for conservation efforts.
Students confidently presented their projects to an audience of students and educators of all ages. Beyond the academic work, the event also created meaningful opportunities for community building through activities, including visits to the Spy Museum, dinners together, bowling, and arcade games. It was a wonderful balance of collaboration, innovation, and fun. We are incredibly proud of our Dwight Global students, and excited to see Sparkathon continue growing in the years ahead.
