From the 24 to 28 February 2026 found that SMART GREEN ISLAND INNOVATION FESTIVAL the ITQ GmbH and the Spanish Dr Stetter ITQ S.L.U. took place on Gran Canaria. At the 334 young talents, female and male professors and Company representatives in interdisciplinary teams tackling industrial challenges in the fields of AI, automation and the circular economy. At the same time, 150 researchers presented their work at the international EUROCAST Conference on current scientific topics, such as those in the fields of quantum mechanics, robotics and AI.
In addition, they collected 350 pupils taking part in hands-on technology workshops initial experiences with Robotics, programming and electronics. At the Technical Museum Elder Museum This led to the creation of a shared innovation space in Las Palmas, where research, industrial application and the promotion of young talent worked in close collaboration. Students, lecturers and representatives from industry developed functional demonstrators and forged links within a framework that systematically combines innovation development, talent promotion and academic exchange.
CirQmind in practice: from smart recycling to smart automation
Under the theme „CirQmind – Circular Economy through Circular Society“ 18 teams worked on real-world industrial challenges. With MVTec they developed AI-based image processing for automated waste and object recognition, with Beckhoff PLC-controlled sorting systems for precise material separation. Together with Lorenz originated Prototypes for smart, circular transport boxes for Water meters with tracking and condition monitoring. For MEILLER tipper the teams devised a Autonomously controlled model vehicle with a hook-lift function, which automatically controls, picks up and positions swap bodies.
Innovation comes from doing
The MAKEATHON shows that Capacity for innovation does not arise theoretically, but through Practical application under real-world conditions. Students and trainees work on specific industrial challenges, thereby systematically developing their creative thinking, technical implementation skills and ability to make responsible decisions. At the same time, this format represents an alternative model for recruiting skilled workers: companies assess talent not in job interviews, but through projects. This makes skills immediately apparent, and young professionals develop the ability at an early stage to actively drive forward innovative solutions in their future working lives.
A passion for technology from school age onwards
Alongside the MAKEATHON, 350 schoolchildren from the island took part in free technology workshops part. Robotics, programming and electronics with a focus on sustainability were the main focus. The workshops were run by German universities, the Gerda Stetter Foundation: „Technology is fun!“ as part of the EU-funded research project „EduDemoS“ as well as the Canary Islands’ The Sergio Alonso Foundation. The participating universities view the MAKEATHON as a practical extension of their educational programmes: research, industrial challenges and project-based learning are intertwined, and technological skills are systematically developed from school age onwards.
Science in Dialogue
Running alongside the MAKEATHON, the museum hosted the EUROCAST International Conference with around 150 researchers from 20 universities took part. Several professors were not only actively involved in the conference, but also took part in the MAKEATHON alongside their students. As a result, the latest research findings were incorporated directly into the teams’ project work. Science and practical technology development were closely intertwined.
Special thanks go to the following sponsors
Platinum Sponsor: MVTec
Gold Sponsors are technology companies: Beckhoff, MEILLER tipper, Lorenz as well as local institutions: the Canary Islands Government Government of the Canary Islands, Government of Gran Canaria Gran Canaria Island Council, The Sergio Alonso Foundation, Elder Museum,
Silver Sponsors are: igus, MathWorks, The Fraunhofer Institute’s Quanderland, IES El Rincón, Algorithmics, Protect the Planet – Dorothea Sick-Thies.
Further long-standing supporters The MAKEATHON’s Silver Sponsors are Karl-Peter-Obermaier School, Passau as well as the Vocational Schools in Wilhelmshaven, who, together with their enthusiastic trainees, help us to set up and supervise the workshops, as well as organise the event and catering. For them, the MAKEATHON is a real-world training project, in which Practical event planning, logistics and teamwork be practised – under real-life conditions rather than in the classroom.
