Schoolchildren got a taste of cutting-edge technology as part of a workshop at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

Underwater robots, coding and game development were among the subjects explored on the Tools of Ocean Exploration event at the biological station in St George’s.

The event came after the Mid-Atlantic Robots in Education programme won funding from new sponsor RenaissanceRe, a reinsurance company.

Kaitlin Noyes, the director of Ocean Academy at Bios, said: “In addition to Stem-based training, Marine provides experiences that encourage the development of skills such as project management, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication.

“We’re grateful for the support of lead donor RenaissanceRe, as well as our other donors, including the BAC Group of Companies, that allows us to continue making a positive impact on the island’s students and teachers.”

The Marine programme was designed to improve young people’s scientific skills and knowledge through events such as the annual remote-control vehicle design and piloting challenge.

The workshop involved pupils from Clearwater Middle School, Somerset Primary, Dellwood Middle School, CedarBridge Academy, West End Primary, Impact Mentoring Academy, Warwick Academy, Chatmore Preparatory and Bermuda Homeschool Network.

Jeff Manson, the senior vice-president at RenaissanceRe, said: “The team is excited to sponsor the Marine programme at Bios, which builds valuable Stem skills and an awareness and passion for ocean studies.

“As a Bermuda-headquartered reinsurance company, RenaissanceRe is deeply interested in both the health of our marine environment and weather risk science.

“We are looking forward to the great ideas from Bermuda’s bright young people and hope their involvement in Marine will inspire a lifelong appreciation and interest in advancing global ocean studies and protection.”

Diallo Rabain, the education minister, who attended the workshop, said: “We can proudly state that Bios is Bermuda’s source for environmental education. It offers students from across Bermuda and the world the chance to gain practical scientific experience.”

Pupils at the workshop were also introduced to the theme of this year’s ROV Challenge — “Excite, Educate, Empower: Students Engineering Solutions to Global Problems”.

Participants will be tasked with building ROVs to address issues of plastics in the ocean, climate change’s impact on coral reefs and the consequences of poor environmental practices in our inland waterways.

The challenge was designed to give pupils the chance to apply the physics, maths, electronics, and engineering skills they learn in the classroom to solve real-world problems.

It will be held at the National Sports Centre on May 9. It is open to the public and allows teams to compete in beginner, intermediate or advanced levels.

Registration priority will be for middle school pupils, but senior schools and primary 5 and 6 classes can also apply.

For more information about the marine programme, visit bios.edu/education/marine.