INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUBSEA TALENT
Organised by Global Underwater Hub, STEM Challenge aims to engage pupils with an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects through an exciting, hands-on educational project and inspire them to consider a career in the underwater industry.
Supported by educational charity The Smallpeice Trust, the initiative sees teams of school pupils aged 13 and 14 compete against peers from local schools in six regional heats to earn a place in the national final.
With a strong environmental message of marine stewardship and protecting the world’s oceans and seas from plastic pollution at its core, this technology centred project is built around the premise of creating a new ROV capable of navigating the marine ecosystem to retrieve plastic.
Pupils are tasked with designing, building, coding, operating and marketing a model wheeled ROV using Lego Spike sets – a hardware-software platform that enables the development of programmable robots based on Lego building blocks. The robots are constructed using computer Lego bricks, which feature modular sensors and motors, and Lego parts from the Technic line.
The teams are also tasked with creating a marketing pitch, which is then presented in the afternoon to their fellow competitors and a panel of judges, made up of industry professionals. Alongside applying the skills pupils are being taught at school, STEM Challenge develops their problem solving, project management, presentation and teamworking skills.
Since its launch in 2018, this established programme has seen nearly 2,000 pupils from over 190 secondary schools across the UK broaden their skills, strengthen their understanding of engineering and learn about careers in the underwater industry.
GET INVOLVED
Six regional heats are held across the UK each year, providing opportunities for teams of six pupils – aged 13-14 years old – from up to 10 schools to compete at each event. The winning team from each regional heat then competes in the national final. This hands-on educational initiative is designed to provide positive experiences for pupils, allowing them to learn about new opportunities, develop skills and build confidence.
If your secondary school is based near Bristol, Southampton (Fareham), Blyth, Manchester, Inverness or Glasgow, and is interested in participating in the 2026 GUH STEM Challenge, e-mail . Our team will put you in contact with our delivery partner The Smallpeice Trust.
SPONSOR THE GUH STEM CHALLENGE!
The support of companies across the country can inspire today’s school pupils about the career opportunities available in the underwater industry. Sponsoring GUH’s STEM Challenge initiative can align with a company’s corporate social responsibility strategies, support the learning and development of pupils and teachers, help inspire and inform a future workforce, and offer opportunities for staff professional development by acting as judges during the competition.
Get in touch with Global Underwater Hub to find out how you can get involved in this popular, established and respected initiative – e-mail events@theguh.co.uk.
Download our sponsorship pack here.
