This year marks the most inclusive STEMFest ever at the National Marine Aquarium. <\/h3>\n
Thanks to generous funding from Plymouth-based engineering consultants, Services Design Solutions (SDS), around 1,000 students were able to attend completely free. We also provided travel support, meaning both their entrance and transport costs were fully covered.<\/p>\n
The event, led by the Ocean Conservation Trust\u2019s Learning team, brought together schools with paid bookings. There was a focus on participation from Plymouth schools with children who might not otherwise have the opportunity could take part. For many, it was their first ever visit to the National Marine Aquarium, opening doors to a world of science and discovery that may have previously been out of reach.<\/p>\n Inspiring young minds through Ocean conservation As part of the day, students took part in a practical workshop \u2013 with resources donated by local businesses and funded by the Edina Trust- where they each built and took home a solar-powered fan made from upcycled and reused materials, encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of sustainable living.<\/p>\n For schools unable to attend in person, we also delivered a one-hour virtual STEMFest, with 2,200 children joining live online. This, alongside the 1,600 students joining us in person, meant that we were able to engage with around 3,800 young people this year, a great effort!<\/p>\n Learning that lasts beyond the day Our Education Officers will be visiting local schools in the coming weeks to review their findings. These audits will lay the groundwork for a follow-on innovation challenge, where students will design their own Ocean Friendly Innovations \u2013 practical, sustainable solutions that help protect the Ocean by addressing issues such as waste, carbon emissions, or material use in our homes.<\/p>\n Selected student designs will be pitched to local business partners in early 2026, with the most promising concept developed and produced for distribution to all STEMFest participants in July 2026. That\u2019s over 1,600 Ocean Friendly Innovations manufactured and delivered to homes across the city of Plymouth!<\/p>\n Becky Dodds, Schools Programme Coordinator at the Ocean Conservation Trust, said: A call for local businesses and manufacturers to get involved Support could take many forms, whether through financial backing, lending expertise in the build, or helping to select the winning design \u2013 all playing a vital role in turning creative ideas into real-world solutions.<\/p>\n If you are a business and would like to get involved, get in touch with our OCT Learning team at learning@oceanconservationtrust.org<\/a><\/p>\n If you are an Educator and would like to get involved in the project for FREE, click the link below:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.national-aquarium.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsletter-photos-9-edited-1.png\")
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<\/strong>Under the 2025 theme of \u201cOcean Friendly Homes,\u201d students were immersed in an engaging, hands-on learning experience that explored how everyday choices and practices at home can impact the Ocean.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.national-aquarium.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Instagram-Posts-Experiences-36-edited-2.png\")
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<\/strong>STEMFest isn\u2019t just a one-off experience. Each student took home a \u201chome audit\u201d survey, encouraging families to explore how their home affects the Ocean, reinforcing Ocean literacy and inspiring environmentally conscious decisions at home.<\/p>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n
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<\/strong>\u201cThis opportunity has given students not just an improved understanding of the impacts of climate change but also inspired them to know that they have the power to make a significant difference. STEMFest is about aspiration and action, and we can\u2019t wait to see their innovations.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
<\/strong>This is where local manufacturers and businesses have a unique opportunity to get involved! We are calling on makers, engineers, and manufacturers across Plymouth and the wider South West to partner with us and help turn these student ideas into real-world products.<\/p>\n