Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has welcomed students from Lapwing Education to its Ipswich office to learn more about sustainability and environmental initiatives ahead of their Lego Robotics Challenge.

Founded in 2010, Lapwing Education, based in Martlesham, Suffolk, provides bespoke small-group learning for young people aged 4 to 25 with complex additional needs.

During their visit, the students met Dominic Simpson, Sustainability Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, to explore how the cruise line reduces its plastic usage and prepares waste for recycling ashore.

They also took part in hands-on activities and learned more about cruise ships to support their Lego Robotics Challenge project, with their chosen theme focusing on combating plastic in the ocean.

Dominic Simpson, Sustainability Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“It was a real privilege to welcome the students from Lapwing Education into our office to learn more about sustainability. Caring for the seas and oceans we sail is at the heart of what we do, so it has been a pleasure to engage and inspire the students today. We hope they have learned something new and we can’t wait to see their final design for the Lego Robotics Challenge!”

Dru Watts, Joint STEM Lead at Lapwing Education, said:
“Our robotics team have been investigating the competition theme of ‘Submerged’ since September and have been researching pollution in our oceans. Students found the trip incredibly useful including finding out what the cruise line does with any rubbish generated at sea and how they sort everything ready for recycling before it comes back to shore. They will now use this research to influence their innovation project looking at how robotics can be used to clean up rubbish that is already in our oceans. “