STEMFest 2026
The Royal Hospital School hosted STEMFest 2026 to Inspire Future Scientists and Engineers.
On Friday 13th March the Royal Hospital School welcomed over 400 pupils from 14schools for STEMFest 2026, as well as a large number of RHS own pupils, a hands-on celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths held during British Science Week. The festival aimed to spark curiosity and demonstrate how STEM skills connect to future careers as the finale to a packed British Science week at RHS.
This year, STEMFest partnered with Sizewell C, giving pupils a unique insight into how STEM underpins major infrastructure projects and careers in the energy sector.
Sizewell C’s Power Up programme, delivered by Skill Supply, was also on site delivering a hands-on skills workshop while highlighting future careers linked to the Sizewell C project.
Pupils took part in a wide range of interactive activities, from launching rocket balloons to coding Sphero robots, examining owl pellets with the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, experimenting with nitrogen, piloting drones, using a hover board and exploring the universe inside the immersive Wonder dome planetarium. Pupils also had the pleasure of seeing some energetic science shows delivered by the prestigious 'Royal Institution' offering also valuable professional development for some of our visiting Science specialists.
One teacher commented:
'The children thoroughly enjoyed each session with many of mine saying they couldn't pick their favourite. The range of different activities also was excellent covering all three areas of the science curriculum.'
Outdoor sessions encouraged scientific observation, with pupils scanning the tower to spot peregrine falcons and learn about wildlife monitoring, using binoculars and telescopes from Viking Optics, while indoor workshops explored careers and surveying equipment used in Civil Engineering and construction, delivered by 'GAP' psychology, and Crumble coding. There was also some plant machinery on the parade square, all delivered and supported by Strabag and GAP.
The festival also included an Immersive Pathways experience, using VR Headsets and the opportunity to look at careers, helping pupils understand how their classroom learning could translate into real-world STEM opportunities. In amongst our digital hub, pupils indulged in creating their own AI avatars and celebrating PiDay and curiosity with our interactive displays.
Beverly Maloney, Teacher of DT, RHS STEM Lead & STEMFest Organiser:
'#STEMFEST26 has been a fantastic celebration of curiosity, creativity and real-world STEM. From hands-on engineering experiences to conversations with industry experts, all of the pupils involved have have the opportunity to embrace and explore how STEM shapes their world and how it can shape their future. It has been particularly wonderful to see so many of our local schools, Sizewell C, Strabag, GAP and some major presenters get involved too, for what has become our biggest STEM event so far and in its fifth year running. I believe that creating events like this truly empower young people to see themselves as the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers, and we’re incredibly proud of our own pupils and their enthusiasm throughout the week as STEMFEST becomes the finale to a week of celebrating curiosity during British Science Week.'
Chris Young, Head of Employment Affairs Unit at Sizewell C, commented:
'
Major projects like ours show just how essential it is to invest in young people’s education. Today’s students will help build the nationally significant infrastructure projects of the future, and we have a responsibility to help ignite their curiosity and build their confidence. By supporting local schools and creating meaningful learning opportunities, we’re not only developing the talent needed for the future energy workforce - but we’re also empowering the next generation to help shape the world they will one day lead.'
Sizewell C is a new 3.2GW nuclear power station being built on the Suffolk coast, one of the largest clean energy projects in the UK. Once operational, it will provide low-carbon electricity to six million homes for at least 60 years, support tens of thousands of jobs, and create 1,500 apprenticeships, including 540 for Suffolk residents.
The project also runs several initiatives aimed at supporting young people, including a Youth Council representing local voices, the Young Sizewell C programme linking16–21-year-olds to training and work opportunities, and the Power Up programme supporting STEM workshops and after-school clubs.
Teachers at STEMFest reported that pupils left feeling inspired, more confident, and excited about the future possibilities that STEM offers.
STEMFest 2026 demonstrated exactly how events like this can spark curiosity, open doors and encourage young people to imagine the future they could help build.
March 2026