Children’s author and former TV presenter, Konnie Huq is the latest speaker to be unveiled at this year’s virtual STEMFest in Space festival.

Konnie, who is the longest serving female presenter on the popular children’s TV show Blue Peter, will join event host, Dallas Campbell for a fun interactive session which will be watched by hundreds of schools, colleges and youth community groups across the UK.

Prepare for non-stop fun as Konnie will share from her books Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World and Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World. Both books have been written and illustrated by Konnie and feature the adventures of science-mad British-Bangladeshi Cookie Haque. 

The morning’s session will focus on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) learning and creativity and Konnie will round the morning off in true Blue Peter style with a craft activity for everyone to enjoy.

The STEMFest in Space event will be held on Thursday 8 October and provides schools, colleges and community groups the opportunity to learn about the many wonders of space and to hear first-hand from astronauts and inspirational speakers from the international space sector.

Already confirmed to present on the day is former NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan who made history by becoming the first American woman to walk in space and first woman to travel to the deepest depths of the ocean. 

Also confirmed are Dr Andy Aldrin and Jim Christensen of the Aldrin Family Foundation. Dr Aldrin is Director of the Aldrin Space Institute and president of the non-profit foundation and also son of the famous astronaut Edwin Eugene (Buzz) Aldrin. The event will be hosted by TV presenter and stage actor, Dallas Campbell.

The event is being organised by STEM Ambassador Hub North East, run by RTC North, and will coincide with World Space Week (4-10 Oct). The aim of STEMFest in Space is to encourage and engage as many young people as possible in STEM subjects to help them consider a career in this field when they are older.

Young people will be able to learn from the comfort of their own classrooms or at home and interact with STEM Ambassadors who work or support the international space industry.

Konnie presented on the world’s longest-running children’s TV show, Blue Peter from 1997 to 2008 and became the longest-serving female presenter. She is an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and the British Asian Trust.

Konnie said: “I’m delighted to be involved in STEMFest in Space – with the year we’ve been having getting children to engage with science is more important than ever. I’m looking forward to showing them just how exciting STEM subjects can be and introducing them to my science-mad character, Cookie!”

Claire Willis, STEM Education Relationship Manager at RTC North based in Sunderland is organising the event. She said, “The event just keeps getting better and better and we are delighted to hear Konnie will be joining us on the day. After all those years of watching Blue Peter and to welcome her to our event is fantastic news.

“She is going to read sections from her book Cookie and finish with a craft activity so I can’t wait to watch her. I’m sure the young children will really enjoy watching her too.

“STEMFest in Space combines classroom and hands-on learning in an exciting, fun-packed day, showcasing the many wonders of space. It will be perfect opportunity to learn about careers within the space sector and a chance to meet real astronauts and inspirational speakers.”

For more information and for the full events programme please visit the website here

Schools and colleges must pre-register for this event. Tickets are free and can be booked via the Eventbrite website here