Key Stage 3+ Mission - Inspiring The Future

Join us in a fast‑paced, creative STEM project that places KS3+ students at the centre of a real environmental mission: protecting UK rivers and canals from harmful invasive plant species!

Students will investigate how species like Floating pennywort, Water fern, Japanese knotweed, and Himalayan balsam spread – and then design bold, innovative ideas to help stop them.

The challenge

An invasive species has taken over the local canal. It is spreading quickly and damaging wildlife, water quality, and the ecosystem.

The mission: Design a practical and creative solution to help manage it!

What will be your approach to completing the challenge?

Students can choose one of three exciting routes:

1. Build Something – Invent a tool, gadget, or digital system to detect, map, or safely remove invasive species.

2. Change Behaviour – Design an awareness campaign — posters, videos, social media, or a whole‑school strategy.

3. Organise Action – Create a plan for schools and communities to work together to monitor or manage the issue.

For teachers:

Time: 1-2 lessons, or this can be set and completed as homework
Where: Classroom, home or youth group
Teamwork: Teams or solo entrants are welcome

Why it matters

Invasive plants are just that – they absolutely take over and monopolise. They have an effect on…

other plants – choking them and reducing the positive plants and variety of species
animals – limiting the space for them to swim and feed and affecting diversity
people – blocking rivers and canals, affecting journeys and enjoyment of the outdoors
water quality – by taking nutrients out of the water and reducing oxygen levels

What students will gain

This challenge brings multiple benefits, with plenty of learning and skills development. By taking part students will:

Discover a variety of jobs they can aspire to, including scientists, engineers and wildlife experts.
Understand about invasive plants and why they can be a problem for rivers, wildlife and the environment.
Develop a creative, realistic solution using one of three pathways: Build Something, Change Behaviour, or Organise Action.
Work together as a team to share ideas and make decisions, OR if working solo, how to solve problems independently.
Clearly explain their idea using a poster, slide deck or mini booklet, short file or animation or a written proposal.
Link school subjects to the challenge.

Judging Criteria

Prizes!

1st Place: STEM-related class trip up to £800
2nd Place: £250 STEM resources voucher
3rd Place: £100 STEM resources voucher

Plus: All participating students receive a digital participation certificate. Prizes will be awarded to the supervising school or group.

Helpful resources

To support students in the challenge, the following resources are available:

Next steps and how to enter

Download your resources – everything you need is right here:
– Invasive Species Challege – Powerpoint Presentation
– Teacher Guide – Invasive Species Challenge
– Challenge Entry Form – to be included with your entry
Introduce the challenge
Use the powerpoint provided, and the teacher guide to present the mission and challenge to your class.
Form teams or set independent work
Final checks
If building a model, make sure you’ve captured how amazing it is in a poster or a slideshow. Review the judging criteria and terms and conditions so you (and your pupils) understand the key considerations – make adjustments as needed.
Select Entries
Choose which entries to submit – there is no limit to the number of submissions.
Submit Your Entry
Complete the entry form below and upload your supporting files by 5pm on 12 June 2026.

Do you want to be part of the online gallery?

If you wish to have your students’ entries displayed in our online gallery as well as Canal & River Trust’s website, please select the tick box on the entry form. If not, leave it unchecked.

Thank you for your participation and best of luck to all participants!

KS3+ Mission Entry Form 2026

Submit your entries for the “Invasive Species Challenge” mission here. Please include your entry form and supporting documents.

"*" indicates required fields

Teacher name*

First Last

Teacher job title*

Teacher email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

School*

School Name

School postcode*

Number of entries*

Competition Terms and Conditions*

Invasive Species Challenge
Competition Terms and Conditions

(Key Stage 3 and Above)

1. Entry Requirements
Entries must clearly address the Invasive Species Challenge brief by identifying an invasive species problem affecting rivers or canals and proposing a realistic solution to manage, control, or reduce its impact. All required sections of the entry must be completed.

2. Eligibility
The competition is open to secondary school, sixth form, and college students in England aged 11-18, across the UK, including:
o State-funded schools
o Youth groups
o Home education settings
Entries must be supervised by a teacher, tutor, or group leader where applicable.

3. Team and Individual Entries
o Participants may enter individually or as part of a team.
o There is no minimum or maximum team size.
o There is no limit to the number of entries submitted by a school, college, or organisation.

4. Submission Format
o Entries must be submitted as one single digital file.
o Accepted formats include:
 Poster or campaign concept
 Slide deck or digital booklet
 Project proposal document
 Short film or animation
o All submissions must be provided in PDF format, with a maximum file size of 120MB.

All files must be named using the following format:
[School] [Local Authority] [Group Name or Student’s Name] Example: RiversideHigh Essex JohnSmith

Challenge Approaches:
Entries must be based on one of the following approaches:
o Build Something – a practical tool, device, or digital system
o Change Behaviour – an awareness or education campaign
o Organise Action – a community, school, or organisational action plan

5. Safeguarding and Boundaries
o The challenge is fully classroom-based.
o Participants must not carry out fieldwork, remove invasive species, or handle real plants.
o No direct contact with external organisations is required as part of the entry.

6. Original Work
All submissions must be the original work of the participants.

Research and teacher guidance are permitted, but ideas and final outputs must be student-led.

Plagiarism may result in disqualification.

7. Language Requirement
Entries must be submitted in English or include a clear English explanation.

8. Submission Deadline
All entries must be submitted by 5:00pm on Friday, 12 June 2026.

Late submissions may not be considered.

9. Judging Panel and Criteria
Entries will be judged by a panel that includes representatives from the Canal & River Trust and partner organisations.

Judging criteria:
o Understanding of the issue
o Innovation and creativity
o Practicality and feasibility
o Clarity of presentation
o Teamwork (for team entries only)

The judges’ decision is final.

10. Prizes and Recognition
1st Place: STEM-related class trip up to £800 + certificates for all team members
2nd Place: £250 STEM resources voucher + certificates for all team members
3rd Place: £100 STEM resources voucher + certificates for all team members

Plus: All participating students receive a digital participation certificate Prizes will be awarded to the supervising school or group.

Shortlisted or winning entries may also be:
o Featured online
o Recognised through virtual or local celebration events

No cash alternative will be offered.

11. Winner Announcement
Winners will be notified in late June 2026 following completion of judging.

12. Use of Entries
By submitting an entry, participants grant Inspiring the Future and the Canal & River Trust permission to:
o Reproduce
o Display
o Share entries
for educational, promotional, and non-commercial purposes related to the challenge.

Participants retain ownership of their original work.

I agree to the competition terms and conditions.

File upload*

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 120 MB.

If uploading non-PDF files, label each page with [School] [Local Authority] [Group Name or Student’s Name] Example: RiversideHigh Essex JohnSmith