This autumn, we hosted our annual STEMFest at the National Marine Aquarium and it was our most inclusive yet!
Running since 2012, STEMFest is our award-winning educational initiative designed to ignite young people’s curiosity in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through the lens of Ocean conservation. Hosted at the National Marine Aquarium (NMA), STEMFest combines dynamic learning experiences with real-world sustainability challenges – empowering the next generation of innovators and Ocean advocates.
Our most inclusive STEMFest yet
This year marks the most inclusive STEMFest ever held. 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.
The event brought together schools with paid bookings alongside a targeted 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.
Inspiring young minds through Ocean conservation
Under the 2025 theme of “Ocean Friendly Homes,” students were immersed in an engaging, hands-on learning experience that explored how everyday choices and practices at home can impact the Ocean.
As part of the day, students took part in a practical workshop – 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.
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!
Learning that lasts beyond the day
STEMFest isn’t just a one-off experience. Each student took home a “home audit” survey, encouraging families to explore how their home affects the Ocean, reinforcing Ocean literacy and inspiring environmentally conscious decisions at home.
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 – practical, sustainable solutions that help protect the Ocean by addressing issues such as waste, carbon emissions, or material use in our homes.
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’s over 1,600 Ocean Friendly Innovations manufactured and delivered to homes across the city of Plymouth!
Becky Dodds, Schools Programme Coordinator at the Ocean Conservation Trust, said:
“This 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’t wait to see their innovations.”
A call for local businesses and manufacturers to get involved
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.
Support could take many forms, whether through financial backing, lending expertise in the build, or helping to select the winning design – all playing a vital role in turning creative ideas into real-world solutions.
If you are a business and would like to get involved, get in touch with our OCT Learning team at learning@oceanconservationtrust.org.
If you are an Educator and would like to get involved in the project for FREE, click the link below: