Explore the Challenges

Use the design thinking process to create and develop an innovative solution to a real challenge or opportunity that Sydney Metro has faced or may face, as we work on Australia’s biggest transport project.

A key part of the Metro Minds STEAM Challenge is to use the design thinking process to understand the problem and come up with new ideas or ways to make things better for people. Download the Metro Minds project guide and design folio and poster.

There are five stages, Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. Each stage can be repeated to make improvements, get feedback, and focus the needs of people. For example, who are you helping; how are customers, community or the environment affected; what are their needs; or, how will this positively improve the experience?

Students could base their innovation on an opportunity or challenge from several priority areas including sustainability, engineering, and place making. 

New for 2025, teams can focus their innovation on one of the following Challenge statements:

Find out more about what Sydney Metro is already doing to meet these challenges by referring to Sydney Metro’s Corporate Plan 2024-28.

Check out some of these areas and challenges below.

Customer experience

Design

Engineering

Health and Safety

Place making

Sustainability