Sea Cadets

School: Riversides School

Number of pupils attending: 15                                                                                                                    

Increased engagement

Raise students’ aspirations

STEM

Linking Gatsby Benchmark 1, 2, 3, 4

Aim of the activity

This case study explores how pupils in Years 6 and 7 engaged with STEM-focused maritime challenges delivered by the Worcester Sea Cadets during a school taster session. Activities included a Buoyancy Foil Boat Challenge, Boat Structure & Design, and communication skills using elements of the phonetic alphabet. The session aimed to show how STEM is used every day in nautical environments—from engineering and navigation to teamwork and problem-solving.

Many pupils at the transition point between primary and secondary school are curious about the real-world applications of STEM. The Sea Cadets provide a unique platform to connect STEM learning to:

Engineering (boat construction, materials science)

Physics (forces, buoyancy, displacement)

Mathematics (measurement, weight, comparative testing)

Communication technology (phonetic alphabet, maritime signals)

Outdoor and water-based activities (sailing, rowing, paddle sports)

The goal of the session was to give pupils hands-on experience of STEM in maritime environments while promoting teamwork and confidence.

STEM Buoyancy foil boat challenge

Pupils were tasked with designing and building a small boat using only aluminium foil. The challenge:

Whose boat can hold the greatest number of weights before sinking?

STEM Links

Science: Buoyancy, water displacement, density

Engineering: Structural integrity, design optimisation

Learning parts of the boat

 Pupils created labelled boat diagrams and identified key structural components such as the hull, deck, keel, and bow.

STEM Links

Engineering vocabulary used in maritime design

Understanding how different parts contribute to safety and efficiency

Through the workshop, students were introduced to the broader world of Sea Cadets, where they can experience:

Outdoor Engineering Activities

Raft building

Rock climbing

Abseiling

Survival skills

Water-Based STEM Applications

Rowing

Sailing

Paddle sports

Swimming

Technical Skill Development

First aid

Knot tying (mechanics of tension and load)

Code breaking

Cooking & food safety

Navigation

These activities show pupils how scientific thinking, resilience, and teamwork apply directly to real maritime environments.

Impact of the activity

Knowledge Gains

 Understand buoyancy and forces

Apply engineering principles in design

 Engage in problem-solving under time constraints

 Communicate using structured maritime systems

Skills Developed

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Data interpretation

Creativity

Fine motor and design skills

Quotes from the students.

  “I really liked the activities.

“I think this could be fun to learn”   

            

Impact of activity

This case study shows how a Sea Cadets workshop provides an engaging, practical, and memorable introduction to STEM for Years 6 and 7. By linking scientific principles to hands-on maritime activities, pupils gain insight into real-world engineering and communication challenges while building confidence and teamwork.