TeenTech Events
On Wednesday 16th November 2017, Challenger Society participated in a high profile outreach event run by Teentech www.teentech.com - a charitable, education organisation led by Maggie Philbin (from BBC's Tomorrow's World and Bang goes the Theory fame) - at the University of Surrey's Sports Park in Guildford.
The TeenTech event at Surrey Sports Park enabled more than 200 Year 8 students (13 year-olds, about to make GCSE options) along with ~100 sixth formers to meet with over 30 companies and organisations. The students participated in interactive activities at each exhibit and could tap into expertise from many different professions, putting the subjects they study at school into the context of exciting careers. The students also had the chance to hear inspirational talks and attend a careers Q&A panel.
Representing the Challenger Society, and the wider context of careers in Marine Science and Technology, were Challenger Society council members Louisa Watts (Education & Outreach) and Terry Sloane (Industry Liaison & Technology), helped by Challenger member and researcher Helen Smith (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton). The Challenger team took part in 15 minute back-to-back sessions, meeting students and teachers in groups of 5-6, so allowing good engagement.
The team organised a mixed session, starting with timed challenges naming oceans and seas using an inflatable globe, followed by a quickfire fact-finding mission on what the students thought about the oceans. This led onto an animated discussion around current cutting-edge marine science and technology, including hydrothermal vent exploration, (thanks to fantastic imagery from the University of Southampton), and life aboard a Research Ship.
The students had the chance to ask questions and find out about the day-to-day activities of marine scientists, engineers and also the roles aboard the Research Ships such as the Merchant Navy, (including the all-important chef!) This segued into the critical role of engineering and technology in marine science, and the skills involved. Cutting edge autonomous instruments were demonstrated and the students enjoyed handling a “Deep Trekker” Remotely Operated Vehicle (thanks to Planet Ocean Ltd), learning how to use the hand set and visualisation goggles to try and retrieve samples including manganese nodules and shells.
At the end of the sessions the students declared one thing they had learned from the team: responses were wide and varied including the use of ROVs and engineering in taking measurements and collecting samples, the 400 oC heat of the vents, the depth and pressure of the deep oceans, marine life at the vents and new species fuelled by chemicals and bacteria, that “the oceans aren't as boring as I thought”, and that marine biologists do not need to swim to do their research (from the non-swimming budding marine biologist!). Very positive feedback was also received from one school that voted the Challenger Society exhibit and activity the best!Latest News
Townhall on UK Arctic Ocean contribution to International Polar Year 32/33
The Arctic is one of the most rapidly-changing regions on our planet, with impacts on global sea-level rise, changes to our climate and weather patterns, and threats to our shared biodiversity and ecosystem services. With the international community rapidly mobilising towards the International Polar Year 32/33, and with new international programmes and initiatives now being shaped, it is timely for the UK Ocean Science community to come together and articulate what its unique offerings could be to Arctic research and technology.
This hybrid 2-day meeting, to be held at NOC Southampton, is intended to start this process. Recognising the Arctic Oceans role in global Earth and Human systems, anticipated outcomes include a high-level shaping of what the UK Arctic Ocean community would like to achieve over the course of the IPY, stimulation of new collaborations and proposals for grand Arctic challenges and a baseline from which wider integration with terrestrial, atmospheric and cryosphere communities, both in the UK and overseas, can be built. Discussions will continue in diverse forums, including the UK Arctic Science Meeting in September and at Challenger 2026.
This action is supported by the UK Arctic Office and UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnership
Further details and meeting registration link will be circulated in April together with a questionnaire to help shape the agenda and discussion
In the meantime…SAVE THE DATE
Potential Availability of NERC Ship Time During the 25/26 Programme Year
The NERC Marine Facilities Programme for 2025/2026 for the RRS Discovery and the RRS James Cook has been published on the Marine Facilities Planning website.
The RRS Discovery programme currently contains a 79 day alongside slot between the 2nd of November 2025 and the 19th of January 2026, which is available for science delivery if funded science projects can make use of this time. Due to the location of the vessel, the ship is most likely to be able to deliver fieldwork in the North and East Atlantic regions. Some support for science capability within the National Marine Equipment Pool is potentially available, although there is no capacity for use of autonomous vehicles or remotely operated vehicles. Any fieldwork within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) will need the appropriate diplomatic clearance submitted to coastal states at least 6 months in advance, and to NMF with sufficient lead time for processing via the FCDO.
If interested in making use of this ship time, please contact NERC Marine Planning (marineplanning@nerc.ukri.org) ASAP to start discussions.
THE MARINE FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD – CAN YOU HELP?
The Marine Facilities Advisory Board advises the National Oceanography Centre on marine facilities and services, including the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP), the British Oceanographic Data Centre and the British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility.