This paper describes a set of project-based learning activities focused on a theme of the oceans and marine life. Whilst still providing a clear link to existing physics curricula, the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) design tasks embrace oceanography's interdisciplinary nature and its scope for allowing students to appreciate the complexity of the real world, affording connections to be made between science and art. By encouraging such links to be made, we exemplify how to effectively communicate to students that imagination and creativity is essential to successful scientific research and we highlight activities that can make physics more accessible, relevant, and interesting to a broader range of students. We also analyse the activities' effects upon the students' attitudes to physics and their spatial ability, manual dexterity, grit, patience and creativity.