2026-2027 Competition

Competition Aims

We aim to engage young people in a Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics project competition, that will require them to use their creative skills. We want to include all young people, regardless of their academic strengths/weaknesses, in a project where they will be the drivers, they will come up with new ideas and they will put these into test to reach a successful outcome. We want to help young people discover their own skills through experimentation and without fear of failure.

Target audience

Our competition is targeting students from 11-16 years old, to encourage them to consider STEAM-related university studies or apprenticeships. We will allow young people the choice of how to work, i.e., as individuals or as part of a team.

Project funding

The selected participants will be allocated a budget of £50 that they will be allowed to spend towards the construction of their product. An adult, parent/guardian or teacher, will be in charge of the budget and will operate as the point of contact between the students and our network.

What will you be expected to do?

The selected participants will choose to build one of the three projects below:

Project 1: to construct a mechanical musical instrument that provides a sensory environment other than only sound

Project 2: to construct an automatic device that can collect rubbish from the surface of a pond

Project 3: to construct a hydroponic system that provides a solution to grow food in small spaces

Project 4: to construct a device of their own that helps to improve climate or biodiversity

Project 5: to construct a device of their own that encourages social transformation or cultural exchange

Each project will expect students to research around the area of interest, then apply one or more STEAM skills to design and finally build a working product. At the end of the competition, all participants will receive a participation certificate whilst three winning participants will receive gold, silver and bronze awards.

Project timeline

1 August 2026: announcement of competition; registration of interest is open

30 September 2026: registration of interest is closed; a selection process follows and successful participants will be informed by early October 2026

15 October 2026: project work commences

18 April 2027: deadline for project submission with relevant paperwork

By the end of April 2027: project judging, announcement of winners and virtual award ceremony.

Support & feedback

From 15 October 2026 to 18 April 2027, the participating teams or individuals will have the support of a mentor, to ask for advice and discuss ideas & solutions to the problems they face. The mentor’s support will be delivered on line.

Our team will request & collect student and parent/teacher feedback at the beginning and at the end of the project. This will be completely anonymous.