Exciting ‘Wild’ changes for the STEM Challenge 2026!
The Colchester Zoological Society’s STEM Design Challenge is a FREE project offering children from the chance to solve real-world problems faced by zookeepers and staff at CZS and beyond! Following the STEM design process and using science, technology, engineering and maths skills, children will reimagine a new design for an animal enclosure.
We have some inspiring connections and changes coming up for the 2026 challenge.
Follow us, and keep an eye on this page for more details
This FREE project and the contest are open to all groups around the world. Resources are delivered digitally and virtually and there is no need to visit Colchester Zoo to participate.
Are you a home educator, science club leader, or other education group? If so, you are also welcome to register to participate and enter the contest. Please provide details when you register!
How to Participate:
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1) Register as part of the project once registration opens
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2) Teachers (and other leaders) can participate in an optional virtual training and information session about STEM design thinking – early Jan 2026
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3) Students develop their enclosure design prototype and work to refine and redesign it
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4) Classes can (optionally) participate in a virtual feedback session on their design progress (Feb 2026)
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5) Students finalise their design in summer term, and submit them for entry into the Contest!
Important Dates
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Mid Dec 2025 – Registration opens
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Early 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?
From January-July 2024 children used their creativity, ingenuity, and STEM thinking to help us imagine our ‘Future Zoo’ and how our Mixed African Paddock could be redesigned for the future. Over 10,000 children participated in the initial Challenge.
