BIEA International STEM Competition 2027
Challenge your students to tackle overfishing through STEM and develop the skills to become the environmental innovators of the future.
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Overview
Inspire your students to tackle a real-world environmental challenge through the BIEA International STEM Youth Innovation Competition 2027.
Open to students aged 6 to 18, the competition challenges teams to develop creative STEM solutions to global issues. The 2027 theme, ‘Ocean Balance – Innovating to End Overfishing’, asks students to explore ways to protect our oceans and marine life.
Working in teams of 3 to 5, students use science, technology, engineering and maths to research, design and develop their ideas. Along the way, they build creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills through an engaging, hands-on STEM project.
Students will also discover career opportunities in marine science, environmental engineering, technology and sustainability. Participants will benefit from engagement with STEM professionals, academics and industry experts, with opportunities to receive feedback, gain international recognition and showcase their innovations.
The competition welcomes students of all backgrounds and abilities, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Initial project reports are due in by 31 January 2027, with finalists announced in February/March. The International Final and Showcase will take place in London on 6 and 7 July 2027.
Suitable for classroom enrichment, STEM clubs and extracurricular activities.
Details
- Curriculum links
-
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Design and technology
- Biology: Working scientifically
- Biology: Structure and function of living organisms
- Biology: Interactions and interdependencies
- Chemistry: The particulate nature of matter
- Chemistry: Materials
- Working scientifically
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- Asking questions
- Making predictions
- Setting up tests
- Observing and measuring
- Recording data
- Interpreting and communicating results
- Evaluating
- Group size
- Small groups, Whole class, Whole year group, Whole school
- Participation level
- Hands-on
- Duration
- Multi-session - flexible
- Dates
- 8 October 2026 – 31 March 2027
- Cost
- Free
UK students also receive a BIEA STEM Star Certificate for free.
- Location
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In-school
- UK-wide
Learning outcomes
- Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
- Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Frameworks
Gatsby benchmarks
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
- 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
- 5 - Encounters with employers and employees
EqualEx
The equalex framework allows educators to embed meaningful workplace experiences within a progressive whole school careers programme.
- Investigate and Explore
- Apply and Demonstrate
Provider access legislation
- First key phase
Enrichment framework
- 5 - An accessible and engaging enrichment offer
How to book
Book online: https://bieacompetition.org.uk/2027-competition/ Enquiries: [email protected] Initial project reports are due in end of 2026, with finalists announced in Feb/March 2027. The International Final & Showcase will take place in London on 6–7 July 2027.
