Under the backdrop of increasingly severe global environmental challenges, sustainable development has
become a shared mission for human society. The United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
clearly outlined core issues such as addressing climate change, protecting terrestrial and marine
ecosystems, and promoting biodiversity, calling for collective global action. As an international
metropolis, Hong Kong is not only a hub for technology and innovation but also bears significant
responsibility for driving regional sustainable practices.
The Mammoth International Contest on Omics Sciences (MICOS) is an international event co-initiated by BGI
Research and other institutions. It targets multidisciplinary talents from universities, research
institutes, and enterprises, focusing intensively on new developments, trends, and technologies in the
life sciences industry. The competition is dedicated to fostering cross-disciplinary innovation and global
collaboration in the field of life sciences. To date, the MICOS has been successfully held for four
editions, consistently focus on key research and industry hotspots in life sciences and promoting the
application and transformation of cutting-edge technologies.
The extinction of the mammoth stands as a profound warning in the ecological history of humanity,
reminding us to cherish biodiversity and ecological balance. Meanwhile, contemporary genetic technologies,
such as synthetic biology and gene editing, are pioneering new possibilities for the restoration and
preservation of life. With the mammoth as its spiritual emblem, the competition embodies the grand vision
of "reshaping the future of life through technology"—inspiring innovators to integrate ancient wisdom with
cutting-edge science to deliver breakthrough solutions for global challenges such as human health, food
security, and environmental governance.
In 2025, the Mammoth International Contest on Omics Sciences-Hong Kong (2025 MICOS - Hong Kong) will
officially commence on November 21. Centered around the theme "Symbiosis Between Life and the Environment:
Safeguarding the Future with Technology," this year's event deeply integrates the UN Sustainable
Development Goals, guiding participants to focus on the integrity of ecosystems and the sustainable
development of human society. The competition aims to inspire primary and secondary school students in
Hong Kong to develop an interest in life sciences and environmental protection, nurture their scientific
inquiry skills and innovative thinking, and encourage them to respond to key challenges in the SDGs
through an interdisciplinary perspective. Through this platform, the younger generation will learn to use
technological methods to monitor, protect, and restore ecosystems, while developing a global perspective
and a spirit of collaboration, contributing their wisdom and strength to a sustainable future for Hong
Kong and beyond.
Contest unit
BGI Research
Global NextGen Scientists League, BGI College, Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang
Road)
Yan Chai Hospital Lan Chi Pat Memorial Secondary School 、HHCKLA BUDDHIST CHAN SHI WAN PRIMARY
SCHOOL
Core Theme: Learning to Coexist with Earth: The Synergy of Life Sciences, Technology, Education, and
Sustainable Development
Primary School Division
Plant Resources: From Conservation to Sustainable Use (Incorporating the Global
Strategy for Plant Conservation)
Includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources
Ecological Restoration Techniques Based on Native Plants
The Value of Plant Wisdom in Sustainable Development
Secondary School Division
Technology Safeguarding Life: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
(Incorporating the UNESCO Ethics of Science and Technology Framework)
Includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
Responsible Innovation in Life Sciences and Technology
Digital Technologies Enabling Biodiversity Conservation
Ethics of AI Applications in Ecological Monitoring
Participants
The competition is open to all primary and secondary school students attending schools in the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region. Participants will compete in the following categories:
Primary School Division (Primary 1 to Primary 6)
Secondary School Division (Secondary 1 to Secondary 6)
Competition Process
(I) Preliminary Round
Primary School Division:
Record a 3-5 minute speech video centered on the theme. You might share your personal
observations on life and the environment, interesting stories about plants or animals, the
fascinating roles of microorganisms in daily life, or an explanation of technology's power to
safeguard our planet . We're looking for a talk that is both clear and compelling, delivered
with the creativity and wonder that will truly captivate our audience.
Secondary School Division:
Submission Requirements:
Electronic Research Report: Conduct an in-depth study on a topic under the competition theme.
Suitable subjects include the ecology, habitat, and relationship to humanity of a specific
plant, animal, or microorganism; or a case study on a life-saving technology. Your report must
clearly state its research objectives, methodology, findings, and conclusions, with a minimum
length of 2,000 words.
Speech Video (5-10 minutes): Create a compelling presentation that summarizes your research.
You are encouraged to use visual aids (e.g., PowerPoint) to enhance clarity and impact. The
delivery should be dynamic, well-structured, and persuasive.
(II) Preliminary Round Evaluation
The outcome will be determined by a combined assessment of 50% online voting and 50% expert panel
evaluation.
Online Voting:
All speech videos will be uploaded to the official designated platform to open the voting channel.
Each user can cast 3 votes per day during the 7-day voting period. After voting closes, the number
of votes for each participant will be tallied and ranked from highest to lowest. The participant
with the most votes will receive the highest score of 100 points, with other participants' scores
calculated proportionally.
Expert panel Evaluation:
A panel of experts from fields such as life sciences, environmental science, and education will be
invited to evaluate the submissions. The judging criteria include: scientific merit of content (40
points), innovation (20 points), presentation skills (20 points), and relevance to the theme (20
points). Each expert will score the entries individually; the highest and lowest scores for each
entry will be discarded, and the average of the remaining scores will serve as the expert
evaluation score.
The preliminary round score is weighted equally between online voting and expert panel evaluation
(50% each). Finalists will be determined by ranking the aggregate scores from highest to lowest.
(III) Finals
Primary School Division:
1) On-site PPT Presentation + Feedback: Each finalist will deliver a 5-minute
presentation based on their work . Contestants may briefly introduce their PPT content during
the defense, speak fluently and confidently. Scores and immediate feedback will be provided by
the judges on site.
2) Public Poster Display Area:
Students' hand-drawn posters will be displayed. Posters should reflect the competition theme,
pleasing demonstrating clear content, visual appeal , and thoughtful design through neat
execution and harmonious color choices. The primary goal is to effectively communicate the
student's unique perspective and creative ideas.
Secondary School Division:
1) On-site PPT Presentation + Feedback: Each finalist is alocated 10 minutes
for their presentation and defense. Contestants are expected to provide an comprehensive
elaboration of their work , emphasizing the innovative aspects and significance of their
research, with clear and fluent language and rigorous logic. Expert judges will provide on-site
feedback and scoring after the defense.
2) Academic Poster Display:
All posters must be professionally presented with comprehensive content. Each poster should
feature the following key sections: Research Background, Objectives, Methodology, Results, and
Conclusion. The text must be concise and clear, supported by accurate and legible charts and
graphs.
Secondary School Division: Research Depth & Innovation (40 pts), Content
Completeness & Logical Coherence (30 pts), PPT Production Quality (20 pts), On-site Performance
(10 pts).
Contest Awards
Individual Honors: Award winners will receive an honorary certificate along with a
trophy (1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize) in recognition of their outstanding performance in the competition.
School Honors: The "Outstanding Contribution Award" will be conferred upon schools
that have demonstrated exceptional support and dedication.
BGI Headquarters-Day Study itinerary (Lectures & Lab Session): Winners will have the
opportunity to visit the BGI Spacetime Center. The programme features expert-led lectures on
cutting-edge genetic technologies and life sciences. Participants will also take part in hands-on
laboratory sessions , experiencing the fascination of scientific experimentation firsthand, broadening
their scientific horizons, and sparking a deeper curiosity in scientific exploration.
Competition Merchandise: Exclusive event merchandise will be distributed to
participants, including commemorative pins, notebooks, bookmarks etc., each item has been crafted
commemorate the experience, offering lasting sentimental and collectible value.
Competition Rules
(I) Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to primary and secondary school students currently enrolled at educational
institutions in Hong Kong.
Each contestant may only enter one division and is not permitted to register across multiple
divisions.
All entries must be received by the published deadline. Failure to meet this deadline will result
in automatic disqualification.
Video Format: MP4 format with a minimum resolution of 720p. The video must be
clear, stable, and have audible sound free from significant background noise.
Presentation: The contestant must appear in the video, dressed neatly, with a
natural posture and engaging expressions to capture the audience's attention.
Content: The video content must directly relate to the competition theme and must
not include inappropriate material related to politics, religion, violence, pornography, etc.
Duration: The video must strictly be between 3 and 5 minutes. Videos shorter than
3 minutes or longer than 5 minutes will be penalized by 1 point for every 10 seconds under or over
the limit.
Authenticity & Citation: Report content must be authentic and reliable, with
accurate data. All cited sources must be clearly referenced. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and
will result in disqualification if discovered.
Structure & Format: The report must adhere a standard acdemic structure,
incorporating the following sections, such as Title, Abstract, Keywords, Main Body, Conclusion,
and References.
Length: The report must contain at least 2,000 words. Reports falling short of
this requirement will be penalized by 2 points for every 100 words missing.
Video Format: MP4 format with a minimum resolution of 720p. The video must be
clear, stable, and have audible sound free from significant background noise.
Presentation: The contestant must appear in the video, dressed neatly, with a
natural posture and engaging expressions to capture the audience's attention.
Content: The video content must directly relate to the competition theme and must
not include inappropriate material related to politics, religion, violence, pornography, etc.
Duration: The video must strictly be between 5 and 10 minutes. Videos shorter
than 5 minutes or longer than 10 minutes will be penalized by 1 point for every 10 seconds under
or over the limit.
Specifications: The poster must be A3-sized. Paper type is not restricted, but
the overall presentation should be neat, aesthetically pleasing, with well-coordinated colors.
Content: The content must revolve around the competition theme. The poster must
clearly display a central theme/title and effectively convey the contestant's ideas and
viewpoints.
Originality: The poster must be the contestant's own hand-drawn work.
Computer-generated graphics are not allowed. Plagiarism of others' work is prohibited and will
result in disqualification if discovered.
Specifications: The poster must be A1-sized. Production materials and specific
format are flexible, but the poster must be well-crafted and comprehensive in content.
Content: The poster should include sections such as Research Background,
Objectives, Methodology, Results, and Conclusion. Text should be concise, and charts/graphics must
be clear and accurate, providing a visual overview of the research process and findings.
Originality: The poster must be created by the contestant or their team.
Plagiarism of others' work is prohibited and will result in disqualification if discovered.
(III) Submission Guidelines：
Please name your submission file in the following format: "Hong Kong Leg + School Name (in Chinese) + Full Name (in Chinese)+Class + Class Number", Example: Hong Kong Leg Yaumati Catholic Primary School chendawen 1B（10）
Deadline for Preliminary Round Submissions: 2025/12/30
Preliminary Round Results Announced: 2026/1/12
Finals & Awards Ceremony: 2026/1/31
Venue: Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road), Hong Kong
Additional Notes
1.All submitted works must be original. Plagiarism or the use of ghostwriters is strictly prohibited.
2.The Organizing Committee will host online workshops (scheduled for November-December) to assist
participants in understanding the competition themes.
3.The MICOS Organizing Committee reserves the right of final interpretation for all matters pertaining
to the event.
