World Space Week Challenge

To mark World Space Week 2026, the Bulmershe Design and Technology and STEM teams have launched an exciting project for our Year 8 students: the Intergalactic Lair Challenge. Set in the year 2075, this hands-on competition challenges pupils to design and build a model habitat capable of supporting a superhero on an alien world. This initiative highlights our commitment to practical learning and creative problem solving, encouraging students to explore how science and design come together to solve future problems.

Designing Lairs for Deep Space Survival

Working in crews of three to five, Year 8 teams will select a superhero character they created during their recent D&T modules. Their mission is to construct a physical model of a home base tailored to their character's powers and the environmental conditions of a distant planet.

Students will build their models at home using recycled household items, learning about environmental sustainability as they choose materials. To support their structural ideas, teams can also request custom 3D-printed components from our D&T department, bringing modern manufacturing techniques directly into their projects. Each crew must carefully consider four key elements during the build: planetary location, life support survival systems, character identity and material sustainability.

The competition timeline gives students plenty of time to collaborate and refine their ideas before the final stages:

• Registration deadline: Tuesday 20th October
• Mission Arrival Day (bringing models to school): Tuesday 8th December
• Judgement Day and final testing: Thursday 10th December

Building Teamwork and Inspiring Future Scientists

Participating in group STEM projects has a wonderful impact on student wellbeing and confidence. Working in small teams encourages young people to listen to different perspectives, share responsibility and overcome technical design challenges together. Building habitats out of recycled materials teaches resourcefulness, showing pupils that creative ideas matter far more than expensive supplies.

The Intergalactic Lair Challenge is a clear example of how extra-curricular opportunities enrich our academic curriculum. We strive to make science, technology, engineering and maths accessible to everyone, helping students discover potential career paths in design and space technology.

This approach plays an important role during the secondary school transition phase. By the time students reach Year 8, projects like this help consolidate the teamwork skills they began developing in Year 7. Older pupils and staff mentors work alongside younger crews to guide their 3D-printing requests, reinforcing the supportive, family atmosphere across our campus.