From the 24 to 28 February 2026 loads the ITQ GmbH together with the Spanish Dr Stetter ITQ S.L.U. to the SMART GREEN ISLAND INNOVATION FESTIVAL . The event will take place at the Technical Museum „Elder Museum“takes place in Las Palmas, in the heart of the capital of Gran Canaria. In total, around 750 participants together to explore future technologies, sustainability, science and education.
The Technical Museum provides a common framework for three closely interlinked innovation formats: the SMART GREEN ISLAND MAKEATHON, Technology Workshops for local schoolchildren as well as the international scientific conference EUROCAST. The venue symbolises the fusion of technical heritage and the modern world of technology. In doing so, it creates an inspiring environment for exchange and collaboration.
Creative ideas for a circular economy
The SMART GREEN ISLAND MAKEATHON 2026 centres on the theme „CirQmind – A Circular Economy through a Circular Society“. Around 200 young talents from 25 countries and over 30 universities, as well as 100 representatives from institutions and companies work in interdisciplinary teams on real-world technology challenges.
The areas of application range from waste identification (e.g. through image recognition using drones), through collection using mobile robots, the sorting and automation of recycling processes, to the manufacture of new packaging and components (e.g. recycled filament). Modern technologies from the following fields are utilised: Robotics, automation and artificial intelligence.
The implementation of the MAKEATHONS is caused by the financial, substantive and material support from 23 national and international sponsors at present enables.
Special thanks go to the following sponsors
Platinum Sponsor: MVTec.
Gold Sponsors are the Canary Islands Government Government of the Canary Islands, Government of Gran Canaria Gran Canaria Island Council, the The Sergio Alonso Foundation, Elder Museum, Beckhoff, MEILLER tipper, Lorenz.
Silver Sponsors are: IES El Rincón, Algorithmics, igus, MathWorks, Protect the Planet – Dorothea Sick-Thies, Quanderland and ICSE.
Other long-standing supporters of the MAKEATHON and Silver Sponsors include the Karl-Peter-Obermaier School as well as the Vocational Schools in Wilhelmshaven, who, together with our enthusiastic pupils, are helping us to set up and supervise the workshops, as well as to organise the event and catering.
Promoting an interest in technology amongst children
To foster an enthusiasm for technology as early as possible, the MAKEATHON also offers a wide range of activities for children and young people in the Canary Islands. 300 pupils can build on their knowledge and enthusiasm for technology this week and take part in Take part in eight different technical workshops free of charge. The workshops are offered 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 focus is on the following topics Robotics, programming and electronics with particular reference to sustainability.
The event taking place at the same time at the museum EUROCAST amounts to approximately 150 participants from 20 universities together. Scientists and experts from various disciplines discuss current issues relating to technology, research and innovation. The proximity to the MAKEATHON provides insights into the latest developments and fosters exchange between the worlds of academia, museums and modern science.
