Monday 9th November 2026
By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor
Andy Dean helps a young participant design and build a rubber-band-powered catapult during a STEM by the Sea workshop in Bempton. Photo: STEM by the Sea.
A former East Yorkshire teacher is inspiring a new generation of young scientists, engineers and creators with the launch of STEM by the Sea, a hands-on learning workshop based in Bempton near Bridlington.
Founded by former primary school teacher Andy Dean, STEM by the Sea offers interactive workshops combining science, design technology, engineering and creative coastal crafts, giving children the opportunity to learn through practical challenges and real-world problem-solving.
The STEM by the Sea workshop space in Bempton, prepared for a science and design technology learning session. Photo: STEM by the Sea.
A young participant builds a sandcastle using a Sand Masons kit during a STEM by the Sea beach session at Reighton. Photo: STEM by the Sea.
Sessions take place both in a dedicated workshop space and on local beaches, where children can take part in activities ranging from building and testing structures to exploring science experiments, creating coastal artwork and even engineering sandcastles.
Designed for local families, visiting holidaymakers, schools, youth groups, clubs and home-educated children, every session can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of participants.
Andy, who taught for more than 12 years in the UK, Kenya and Malawi, said the workshops focus on encouraging curiosity, resilience and creativity.
"Children learn best when they're making something, testing it and finding out why it didn't work the first time," he said.
"I want every child to leave having built, discovered or created something they're proud of."
Each workshop is structured around a practical challenge. Children might investigate forces by constructing and testing a structure, learn how electrical circuits work, or transform driftwood and sea glass into unique keepsakes inspired by the Yorkshire coastline.
To ensure every child receives plenty of hands-on experience, group sizes are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of six children in workshop sessions and 12 participants for beach-based activities.
Andy recently left his teaching role at Flamborough Primary School to pursue his vision for STEM by the Sea full-time. His passion for hands-on education stems from experiences that began during a gap year in Kenya at the age of 18 and continued throughout his international teaching career.
As a Churchill Fellow, Andy led a team of university students to Kenya in 2009 and later helped raise more than £100,000 for a school supporting hearing-impaired children, which has since grown from a single tin hut into a thriving school attended by over 100 pupils.
Reflecting on those experiences, he said:
"Twenty years ago, as an 18-year-old on a gap year, I went to Kenya for a term, and it shaped my life.
"Now I want to bring that same hands-on learning to children on our own coast."
Andy Dean, founder of STEM by the Sea, which offers hands-on science, engineering and coastal craft workshops for children in East Yorkshire. Photo: STEM by the Sea.
Alongside the workshops, STEM by the Sea has been established as a Community Interest Company (CIC), enabling free or subsidised places to be offered to children and families who might otherwise be unable to access the activities.
"Family income should never limit a child's access to hands-on learning," Andy added.
"We want everyone to come and Solve, Tinker, Explore and Make."
For more information and to book upcoming sessions, visit www.stembythesea.co.uk
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