Exciting ‘Wild’ changes for the STEM Challenge 2026!
The Colchester Zoological Society’s STEM Design Challenge 2026 is back and bigger than ever! This FREE global project invites students to tackle real-world conservation and animal welfare challenges by designing innovative animal enclosures. By following the STEM design process and applying skills in science, technology, engineering, and maths, participants will have the unique opportunity to reimagine a new home for rescued sun bears at the Free the Bears Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary in Laos.
This year’s challenge focuses on designing the Bear House at Free the Bears’ sanctuary in Laos.
CZS has supported Free the Bears for many years on their mission of rescuing and rehabilitating bears from the illegal wildlife trade while supporting their long-term welfare. This year, students will connect directly with Free the Bears’ conservation efforts in Laos, learning about the design of their sanctuary’s Bear House.
This FREE project and contest are open to all education groups worldwide. Resources are provided digitally, so there’s no need to visit Colchester Zoo to take part.
Are you a home educator, science club leader, or part of another educational group? You’re more than welcome to register and participate! Just provide details when you sign up.
How to Participate:
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1) Sign-up to participate
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2) Teachers (and other leaders) can participate in an optional virtual training and info session about STEM design thinking – early Jan 2026
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3) Students develop their enclosure design prototype and work to refine it
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4) Classes can (optional) participate in a virtual feedback session on their design progress (Feb 2026)
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5) Students finalise their designs and (optional) submit them for entry into the Contest!
Important Dates
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5 Jan 2026 – Registration opens
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19 Jan 2026 – Virtual training for teachers/leaders on STEM Design thinking
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Feb 2026 – Real-world feedback for designs in-progress
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27 Mar 2026 – Contest submissions close
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April 2026 – Contest winners announced
Looking for inspiration?
In the 2024 challenge, students used their creativity and STEM skills to redesign our Mixed African Paddock for the future. Over 10,000 children participated in this exciting challenge. Now, we’re excited to see how students around the world will use their talents to help create the perfect home for the sun bears at Free the Bears’ sanctuary.
