A highlight of IYC was an international contest for either a video or an assay submission entiiled “A World Without Polymers?” The objective of this activity was to encourage a greater understanding by the public of the significance of polymers to everyone’s quality of life in the words of students. The contest was addressed to university and high-school students around the globe and harnessed their immense creativity. The contest invited submission of either a video or an assay on the theme of “A World Without Polymer?”, that is, how the world might be if there were no polymer now or in the future. There were there winners in each category: video and essay. The award winning videos and assays aimed at the general public are available online and beautifully convey the vital role that polymers play in improving society and our quality of life.