About the Game Changer Challenge
in the Game Changer Challenge 2026 and get access to the GCC Teacher Hub and teacher handbook resource.
What is the Game Changer Challenge?
The Game Changer Challenge is the department’s award-winning design thinking competition.
Open to public schools across the state the challenge centres on discovering solutions for a real-world, wicked problem by applying classroom learning.
The Game Changer Challenge supports Inspire – High Potential and Gifted ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, by enriching student learning outcomes and supporting teachers to integrate design thinking into lesson plans and projects.
Game Changer Challenge 2026
in the Game Changer Challenge 2026 and get access to the GCC Teacher Hub and teacher handbook resource.
What is a wicked problem?
A wicked problem is a social or cultural problem that’s difficult or impossible to solve, normally because of its complex and interconnected nature.
Wicked problems push us to think outside the box, fostering innovation and creativity. The process of addressing these challenges can lead to breakthroughs in technology, policy and social norms.
Many wicked problems are related to environmental sustainability. By addressing this as a big issue, we can develop more sustainable living practices and build communities that are more resilient to changes and challenges.
Engaging with wicked problems empowers individuals and communities to take action and make a difference. It encourages young people to play an active role in their community and future.
The 2026 wicked problem
Creating fairer and more connected communities, where people, planet and place thrive together.
Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10, this challenge is about creating solutions to reduce inequality within and among communities.
Teams will explore innovative ways to address inequalities and discrimination, and empower individuals and communities to achieve sustainable development to make the planet better for all.
What is design thinking?
Design thinking is a human-centred process to solving complex problems. Empathy and collaboration are at the heart of design thinking.
The five-step process starts by encouraging problem solvers to walk in the shoes of those experiencing the 'problem' to gain a deeper insight into the challenges and issues they face (empathy).
This knowledge is then used to develop a clear problem statement (define), work on solutions (ideate), turn these solutions into tangible products (prototype) and then see whether the solution will work (test).
Design thinking is not a linear process. With each stage you make new discoveries that require you to rethink and redefine what you have already done.
Design thinking brings our head, heart and hands together to find innovative solutions to complex problems.
This process can be used over and over again, for small or complex problems.
A guide to Game Changer Challenge 2026
In 2026 teams will produce a design portfolio that will track their design journeys from beginning to end, with a video pitch being submitted at the end of Phase 2 to be judged by industry experts. 20 teams will progress to the grand final.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Enter your school
to get access to the GCC Teacher Hub and resources.
Step 2: Build your team
Teams consist of 5 students and 1 teacher per team. Supervising teachers can be from any subject area. The primary category is for students from Years 3 to 6, the secondary category is for students from Years 7 to 11.
Schools can have more than one team, providing each student team member is different. One teacher can oversee multiple teams.
Step 3: All teams work through the Phase 1 handbook and prepare your design portfolio
All registered teachers will get access to the GCC2026 Teacher Hub and supporting resources to guide your team through the first phases of the challenge. The resources are available now.
The handbook guides you and your team through:
- The Wicked Problem
- GCC framework and principles
- GCC 2026 schedule
- Design portfolio submission process
All teams must prepare an online design portfolio after working through the playbooks to progress to Phase 2.
Step 4: Submit a design portfolio
Design portfolio submissions for the Game Changer Challenge will close in Term 2, Week 5.
Step 5: All teams work through the design sprint livestream and prepare their video pitch
All teams who have submitted a design portfolio in Phase 1 will gain access to the design sprint livestream in Term 3, Week 2.
Teams will ideate, refine, and start building their solution. The design sprint will be an on-demand video where all teams will have up to 4 weeks to design a solution and produce a video pitch. Teams will continue to track their design thinking journeys in their design portfolio to using the Phase 2 templates provided. These design portfolios and video pitches will be judged by a panel of industry partners and NSW Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø staff.
Step 6: Grand final
20 teams participate in the grand final event hosted at the department's Parramatta office in Term 4, Week 5 (10 to 12 November 2026).
At the grand final teams create and finalise their prototype and present their solutions to judges and industry partners at the Ideas Expo.
Video: Teacher experience at GCC 2025 (duration 1:24)
Josh
It is always a fun day. It's one of the things I look forward to the most. I love watching the kids interacting with people who they've never interacted with before. It really shows how their confidence has grown. It really makes me quite proud of, you know, where they've come.
Kimberley
The kids are presented with an idea. This year it was about sustainability for the future.
They have all learnt to work together in their team of five and now they're spreading out from there with more people and valuing each other's ideas and starting to understand that everybody has a great idea and letting each other share that.
Kate
I guess it's the ‘aha moments’ where they have worked tirelessly trying to solve something and they're going round and round in circles and all of a sudden they all come together with some key idea.
Then they branch off from there and they're like, yes, we've got it, this is what we're going to do and it's about the process. And we always say here at Game Changer – trust the process.
Ebony
They start off quite hesitant and then they really get into the groove and are able to change their ideas, go back, answer questions, and if you keep asking them why, why, why, they start to accept that this is the process and they see the benefit.
Kate
Game Changer is the perfect platform to develop problem solving skills, team working skills, pitching tricky situations to other people. These are all fundamental skills in every single role that we do every single day.
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Contact us
Do you have a specific question or need more detail about this year’s challenge? Send an email to GCC@det.nsw.edu.au