Will your imagination change the world?

Take part in the Making Waves challenge!

The ocean covers more than 70% of our planet, and is essential to all life on Earth. But human factors like overpopulation, travel, noise and industrialisation have taken their toll on life beneath the waves.

We need to build a better future for our oceans with science, invention, and innovation at the heart of it all. The more we understand our oceans, the better we can learn to look after them and bring them back to health.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Dogger Bank Wind Farm and South Tyneside Council to bring you our latest invention challenge - Making Waves! Inventing for a better ocean.

We’ve got three different invention challenges, one for each Key Stage 1-3. So listen up, because we’re about to head out into the big blue!

Very Little Inventors, this one’s for you!

From the wacky wobbegong to the magnificent manta ray, the ocean is full of surprises great and small. Inventors have been inspired by life under the waves for as long as we can remember, from cars designed like fish, armour made like shells or homes in the shape of corals.

The underwater wonderland is full of invention inspiration and now it’s over to you to discover a whole world of awesome-ness and turn it into an unforgettable invention.

Can you invent something inspired by life under the sea?

How about a house that looks like a piece of coral? Or a piece of clothing that changes colour like a cuttlefish? Or something totally new and fin-tastic!

First watch the challenge introduction video -

Then watch the invention challenge from marine biologist George Smith -

It’s time to dive into the big blue.

Surfing, sailing, water-skiing... there’s no end to the ways you can explore the ocean and the fun you can have doing it! But the way we travel really matters, as how we produce and use energy is the biggest reason for pollution on Earth. It’s the main cause of climate change. So we have to change how we live so we can take better care of our planet.

Let the ocean power your imagination and let’s start inventing for a better future!

Can you invent a new way to travel across the ocean or to have fun in the ocean that doesn’t use any electricity or fuel?

Think about human powered inventions that use no fuels such as skis, surfboards, catapults or bicycles. Could you combine two existing inventions or come up with something totally new?!

We need your wisdom and creative energy!

Covering more than 70 percent of our planet, oceans are among the Earth’s most valuable natural resources. It’s full to the brim of incredible food, ingredients for medicines, inspiration and mysteries we haven’t yet unlocked. But time is running out as many habitats and sea creatures are dying because of human activities including noise and waste pollution. If we all help to look after the living things under the waves, they can carry on helping us too.

Did you know that dolphins rub themselves along the corals to help cure them of diseases? And corals are helping humans to develop new medicines that may even be able to treat cancer!

Can you to invent something to help protect the health of our oceans?

Identify the source of a problem and come up with something truly innovative to solve it! We can’t wait to see your ideas.

Take a look at the launch video to get started with the challenge!

Now watch your invention challenge from Emily Ross -