Systems Thinking in Action: UWCSEA East students win Climate Change Challenge at 3IGHACK
By Communications Team
16 December 2025
When five UWCSEA East students began thinking about electronic waste, they weren’t just asking how recycling works — they were asking why it so often doesn’t. Globally, e-waste continues to grow, placing pressure on landfill space and increasing pollution. In Singapore, addressing the issue takes more than collection points; it requires systems that consider logistics, data security, and community trust. This was the challenge the students set out to tackle — and one they approached through systems thinking and collective action.
The Challenge of Steward Leadership
In November 2025, five Grade 11 students, Adrish, Alexandre, Ruhan, Aniket, and Shivangi, brought this question to the 3IGHACK hackathon, a two-day event organised by the Stewardship Asia Centre that brings together students from different schools to work on complex global issues.
At the heart of the hackathon is the idea of Steward Leadership, the belief that responsibility goes beyond following rules and instead calls for active care for people, communities, and the environment. This approach closely reflects the kind of learning we encourage at UWCSEA, where students are supported to move from understanding problems to taking meaningful action.
After 48 focused and demanding hours, the team emerged as winners of the Climate Change and Sustainability challenge, receiving a S$1,500 award to further develop their idea into a working initiative.
Designing SecondSpark: A Solution for E-Waste
The team chose to focus on Singapore’s growing e-waste problem. With around 60,000 tonnes of e-waste generated each year and Semakau landfill steadily filling up, they recognised the need for a solution that was practical, community-based, and easy for people to engage with. One barrier stood out clearly: donor hesitation, often linked to concerns about data security.
Their solution, SecondSpark, is a student-designed platform supported by a volunteer logistics network. The aim is simple but thoughtful — to connect donors, student volunteers, and NGOs through a clear, trusted system that allows electronics to be repurposed for social good. Donors can list items through a central website and choose the NGO they wish to support, giving them confidence about where their contribution goes and how it is used. The judges selected the project for its clarity of purpose and strong potential for real-world impact.
As Alexandre explained, their solution came from applying complex thought to a local issue:
"3IGHACK taught me how to apply systems thinking to tackle pressing issues within local communities, while accounting for scalability and sustainability across both social and environmental aspects."
The 48-Hour Sprint
The hackathon demanded careful planning, collaboration, and flexibility. With limited time and a complex problem to solve, the team had to work closely and make decisions quickly.
“The 48-hour challenge pushed me to my limits as I built the full web-app prototype, whilst simultaneously refining the presentation and proposal alongside my teammates,” Alexandre shared.
Adrish described the experience as a “relentless pursuit for perfection,” where attention to detail mattered just as much as big ideas.
Beyond the technical work, the team reflected on the importance of learning with purpose. Shivangi noted that the workshops helped her “understand what it means to create with purpose… we were learning how to think responsibly about communities our ideas might impact.” This was strengthened by mentorship throughout the event, with Aniket crediting their mentor, Mrs Fiona Nixon, for helping the team “think deeper and sharpen our solution.”
The Final Pitch
For Ruhan, the final pitch was “the most exhilarating part of the event.” Despite refining their presentation up until the last hour — and facing a shortened time slot on stage — the team delivered their idea with confidence and conviction.
“The judges weren’t just intrigued; they were genuinely enthusiastic about our idea,” Ruhan recalled.
The recognition extended beyond the award itself, with an industry judge expressing interest in supporting the team’s work after the competition — a moment that affirmed the real-world relevance of their idea.
What Happens Next?
With the S$1,500 award and continued support from the Stewardship Asia Centre, the team now has the foundation needed to move from concept to action. They will continue to receive guidance from their mentor, Fiona Nixon, alongside external support offered by category judge Christina Lee from the Global Green Economic Foundation.
With funding and institutional backing in place, the team is preparing to launch the SecondSpark platform. In Term 2, we will share updates on how the funds are being used — with disbursement facilitated by the Stewardship Asia Centre — as well as plans for their pilot programme.
Looking ahead, a key milestone will be the team’s invitation to present SecondSpark in a booth-style format at the NextGen Steward Leaders Summit in May 2026. Held in partnership with the National Youth Council, the summit will offer an opportunity to build awareness, gather feedback, and connect with youth leaders and industry stakeholders.
For the team, SecondSpark is more than a competition project. It reflects what learning can look like when it is grounded in real needs and shared responsibility. The work ahead will involve testing ideas, listening closely to communities, and adapting along the way — all part of turning intention into impact.
As Shivangi puts it, “Big ideas do not just happen; they grow when people invest in you.”
Congratulations once again to Adrish, Alexandre, Ruhan, Aniket, and Shivangi for winning the Climate Change and Sustainability challenge at the 3IGHACK. We can’t wait to see how SecondSpark continues to grow and make an impact!