The Starpack Schools competition has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2006 and we are delighted to launch the 2026 edition.

Starpack Schools is a competition for learners aged 11 to 17 that has been designed to: 

  • encourage young people to consider the important role played by packaging and materials
  • promote careers in the packaging industry as exciting, challenging and rewarding.

The 2026 Starpack Schools Competition has separate categories for years 7 & 8, 9 & 10 and year 12 and the submission requirements vary for each category to differentiate between the learning level of the students.

The 2026 Starpack Schools Competition has been designed to link closely to the Design & Technology curriculum and give learners an opportunity to develop their research and design skills, and knowledge of materials.

Schools must register to access the brief and accompanying support material. Click below to get started!

Register

Entry Guidelines

2026 timetable
  • Registration for 2026 competition closes
    23:59 BST on 2 April 2026
  • Entry portal opens
    12 January 2026
  • Deadline for entries
    23:59 BST on 24 July 2026
  • Celebration event and awarding of prizes
    4 December 2026
Entry Requirements

  • Complete entries must be submitted to the entry portal by the Entry Closing Date

  • Entries must be uploaded individually by a member of staff

  • The learners name and school/college should not appear on the board themselves

  • Entries must be submitted as a PDF file with the candidate’s first name and surname initial as the file name, e.g. Jane S (please don’t use the file names Starpack, Entry or anything else that is not candidate-specific)

  • All entries must comply with the submission requirements for the relevant age category

  • Entry is free for all schools

  • All pupils must be in full time education for the academic year 2025-26 at your school/college

  • Schools may submit up to 8 entries in each age category

  • Entries cannot be amended once submitted. Names submitted at the time of entry will be printed as typed, if there are any errors and certificates/trophies need replacing, then the school will be liable for these costs.

  • Prizes will be delivered directly to the school address listed in the registration. We will be unable to issue replacements for prizes sent to wrong addresses.

Judging criteria

Judges will be looking for the following:

Does the entry address the requirements of the brief?

  • Entry explores all of the requirements of the brief.
  • Entry covers what is required by the submission (correct number of boards/pages).
  • Entry covers the relevant number of project stages (research, design, material choices, final design with reasoning and evaluation, photo or 3D rendering of final design).

Does the entry address the concept?

  • Entry explores all the aspects outlined in the 'Things to consider' section of the project brief.

Are the boards concise with clear presentation?

  • Quality of presentation - note this is not dependent on whether they have been hand-written or created on the computer.
  • Layout of the boards and storytelling.
  • Correct use of technical terminology.
  • Spelling, puncutation & grammar.
How to enter

Prior to entering, you will need to register and create a free IOM3 web account if you don't already have one.

Teachers need to enter their pupils individually under the correct age category (year 7 & 8, year 9 & 10 or year 12) and ensure the correct number of boards (3, 4 or 5 respectively) covering the required topics are present.

Entries falling outside of the submission requirements may not be judged.

 

Entries for the 2026 Starpack Schools Competition are now open!

Click on the relevant category below to submit your entries.