Ahoy makers, builders, and ocean stewards! We are 3 weeks away from our next challenge!
Educational Passages is excited to announce that we’re setting sail for our 7th annual Recycle Regatta, alongside our partners New England Sailing and Science (NESS) and North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA). This year we’re celebrating with a theme that fits perfectly: the 7 R’s of Recycling.
For seven years, students, teachers, families, and makers have turned everyday recyclables into creative model sailboats. Since then, 507 creative boats have been built, tested, improved, and celebrated. What starts as a pile of bottles, cardboard, and scrap materials transforms into fleets of imaginative vessels ready to race.
It’s simple.
It’s fun.
And it’s a powerful reminder that small actions can make a big difference for our ocean.
From Recycling Bin to Racing Fleet
The beauty of the Recycle Regatta is that you don’t need special tools or expensive supplies. In fact, the more creative your recycled materials are, the better and is why this interactive challenge is perfect for schools and institutions nationwide to participate in.
Participants build model sailboats from recycled materials and test them on the water, either outside or in the classroom. Boats are then judged for speed, creativity, and design, meaning every boat has a chance to shine.
Some boats are lightning fast.
Some are wildly imaginative.
All of them represent creativity, experimentation, and environmental awareness.
Who Can Participate?
The Recycle Regatta is open to students of all ages, whether you’re participating through:
- A classroom
- A homeschool group
- A sailing club
- A youth organization
- Or even just a creative family project
You can host your own regatta locally or simply design and test your boat as part of the challenge.
Join the 7th Recycle Regatta!
This year, we’re inviting even more students and educators to join the fleet!
So gather your recyclables, unleash your creativity, and see what kind of boat you can build. Submissions are open April 1st – 30th, 2026.
⚓ Learn more and enter the challenge by reaching out to us directly and learning more at:
https://educationalpassages.org/recycle-regatta/
info@educationalpassages.com
Because sometimes the best way to learn about protecting our ocean…is to start by building a boat out of the recycling bin!
With a boatload of excitement,
Cassie Stymiest & Daryn Clevesy
