The votes are in, the judges have spoken, and we are thrilled to announce the winner of our inaugural "Design a SeaTree" Competition!

A massive congratulations to Izzy from St Martin's Primary School! 🏆

Her stunning watercolour entry, titled 'The Seaweed Exhibition', captured the imagination of the entire SeaGrown team.

The Challenge

We asked primary school pupils across the Yorkshire Coast to put their engineering and artistic skills to the test. The brief was simple but ambitious: we challenged them to visualise a structure that could sit in the North Sea, growing seaweed to help boost biodiversity and improve ocean health.

We were delighted by the quality of the response. We received some truly imaginative entries from local young innovators, with the pupils at Snainton School and St Martin's Primary leading the charge.

From technical engineering drawings to vibrant collages, the creativity on display was inspiring.

The Winning Vision

While many entries focused on the nuts and bolts of the structure, Izzy’s entry stood out because she focused on the life it would support.

Her piece isn't just a design; it is a vision of a healthy ocean.

"We loved Izzy’s use of watercolours," said Erik, SeaGrown’s Communications Officer. "As a designer, I know that sometimes a technical drawing can’t tell the whole story. We often get focused on the steel and the ropes, but Izzy captured the spirit of the project. Her painting visualises the vibrancy and movement of a thriving ecosystem perfectly. It shows exactly what we are trying to achieve offshore: technology working in harmony with nature."

The Prize 

As the winner, Izzy has secured a fantastic prize package for her class at St Martin's Primary School:

• A Real-World Legacy: The school will have a real-life Kelpedo™ unit (a 'Sea Tree') dedicated to them at our offshore cultivation site for a whole year.
• Science in Action: The class will receive exclusive termly updates from our science team, featuring real data and photos showing how their seaweed is growing and what marine life is living on it.
• A Field Trip: A special seaweed seed-finding trip for a small group of pupils.

The Future

Engaging the next generation in STEM and the Blue Economy is a huge part of our mission at SeaGrown. If 'The Seaweed Exhibition' is anything to go by, the future of our oceans is in very creative hands.

Thank you to every teacher and pupil who picked up a pencil or a paintbrush. We can’t wait to see what you design next year.

Plant Your Own Legacy

St Martin's Primary isn't the only one making waves. Through our Plant a Tree in the Sea initiative, businesses and individuals can sponsor their own dedicated Kelpedo™ unit, helping to restore ocean health and leave a tangible legacy in the North Sea.

If you have been inspired by Izzy’s vision and want to discuss planting your own tree in the sea, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Plant a Tree in the Sea here