STEMFest took centre stage last week at the iconic Beacon of Light, welcoming over 3,000 schoolchildren from across the North East, along with 65 exhibitors representing a broad range of STEM-related sectors. This three-day event was a resounding success, marking a key moment in the regional push to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Now in its fifth event, STEMFest is coordinated by the STEM Hub and delivered by RTC North. Following its success in the North East, STEMFest expanded to the Yorkshire and Humber region earlier this year, debuting its first event in that area.

The event in Sunderland kicked off with a breakfast business networking session hosted by Dallas Campbell, where like-minded professionals from various STEM related industries came together to connect. Key speakers included Jamie Ollivere CEO of RTC North and Jamie Wright, Managing Director of the Foundation of Light. They highlighted the significant impact STEMFest has, not only on the students and educators who attend but also on the companies that exhibit. They emphasised how the event creates value for businesses by offering a platform to engage with future talent and contribute to shaping the STEM workforce of tomorrow.

Throughout the event, schools had the opportunity to explore a hands-on exhibition, divided into STEM-themed zones including Space, Technology and Cyber, Environment and Energy, and Manufacturing. Students were able to meet with industry professionals, gaining first-hand knowledge of the exciting career opportunities available within the STEM sectors.

One of the standout features of the event was a variety of pre-bookable activities, offering students hands-on experiences in key industries. These included ethical hacking workshops with Cyber First, a Flannery Construction Simulator, a Nissan Factory simulation, a British Airways Flight Simulator, an Immersive Experience Planetarium, football training with the Beacon of Light, and an E-Sports Zone hosted by Creative Hut and Sunderland College. Jim Christensen flew all the way from Florida to attend STEMFest to deliver his Mars Map activity. He is the former Director of Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and currently works with the Aldrin Family Foundation as their Chief Innovation Officer, where he has designed the Moon and Mars map resources. These interactive activities ran over the three days, providing deeper engagement for students keen to explore different STEM careers in an immersive and practical way.

Sage returned for its second year as a sponsor but this time as a headline sponsor, while other key sponsors included OPITO, Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Community Foundation, Reece Foundation, Go Construct, and Simpson Group. Their commitment not only supports the event itself but plays a crucial role in shaping future job opportunities for the next generation of STEM professionals.

Claire Willis, Team Leader at the STEM Hub, commented on the event's success: "This has been our third and final STEMFest event for the year, and it’s been an incredible experience for everyone involved. I want to personally thank all of our sponsors, not only for their financial contributions but for their willingness to volunteer staff and engage directly with students. Their dedication helps us create an impactful event that connects education with industry and inspires the next generation to pursue STEM careers. We’re already looking forward to delivering STEMFest events again in 2025."

STEMFest events are gaining more traction, with recent coverage for this event in the Sunderland Echo. We encourage you to search #STEMFest to view all the media coverage from this and past STEMFest events throughout the North East and Yorkshire and Humber regions.