The Big Stem Challenge

Discovery Park, 17 October 2024 – The grand final of The Big STEM Challenge 2025 took place at Discovery Park, celebrating the creativity and ingenuity of young people across Kent and Medway. The competition, open to primary, secondary, and further education students, recognises and rewards outstanding projects in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Designed to inspire curiosity and innovation, The Big STEM Challenge invites both individuals and schools to take part. Students can submit their own STEM creations or collaborate in teams to develop hands-on projects that demonstrate real-world problem solving, innovation, and scientific understanding.

A key feature of this year’s event was the Science Fair, where participants proudly presented their projects to judges, teachers, and fellow students. The fair provided an interactive space for young scientists to explain their ideas, showcase results, and share their enthusiasm for STEM with a wider audience.

The event also welcomed a range of external exhibitors who added even more excitement to the day. Highlights included MAV Systems’ camera-building activity, Vattenfall’s VR offshore wind turbine experience, Ovenden Plant Hire’s Digger Simulator, Canterbury Christ Church University’s Community Lab tours, The Wonder Lab Project’s forensic science investigation, Code Kids Kent’s coding challenge, and KCS Education’s interactive demonstrations of the latest school science equipment.

Students from Laleham Gap School, Rivermead School, and Chilton Primary joined as special guests, also taking part in the hands-on STEM experiences on offer.

For secondary school entrants, the popular Dragons’ Den returned once again. Inspired by the hit TV show, the session challenged students to pitch their STEM ideas to a panel of expert judges – or “dragons” – who assessed projects for innovation, practicality, and potential impact. Students rose to the challenge with a one-minute video pitch, a two-minute presentation, and three minutes of quick-fire questions from the dragons.

Beyond competition, The Big STEM Challenge aims to spark a lifelong interest in STEM, encouraging young people to think critically, work collaboratively, and communicate their ideas effectively. By connecting students with professionals and providing a platform to share their work, the event helps nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Prizes this year included exclusive visits to BAE Systems to try their flight simulators, to MAV Systems to construct and fly a drone, and to Holdfast Training to visit their training centre, as well as vouchers, and cash rewards for the top projects.

The event continues to grow each year, providing an inclusive and inspiring celebration of student achievement in STEM — and reinforcing that the future of science and innovation is in very capable hands.

Name       Category                Project Title

Alfie Finch Primary Does The Weather Effect The Animals Found At The Beach?

Ellington Infant School Primary Ada Twist Experiments

Isla Finch Primary Does The Shape Of The Stone Change The Sound Of The Splash?

St. Luke's Pre-School Primary Defying Gravity

Swingate Primary School Primary Fun Science Club

Invicta Grammar school Secondary Is Immortality Possible?

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary Earths Hidden Aliens: The Adaptive Species

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary Investigating Bubble Behaviour

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary How Flying Trapeze Artists Build Momentum

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary What Happens To Bacteria When It Is Frozen?

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary How Can Stem Cells Be Used To Treat Multiple Sclerosis?

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary How Does Music Affect Your Body And Brain Chemistry?

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary Exploration Of Luminol

The Folkestone School for Girls Secondary Investigation Into The Effects Of Alcohol On Drosophila Fruit Flies

Victory Academy Secondary Designing And Building A Toy To Help SEN Children

Victory Academy Secondary Designing And Engineering A Prototype For A Children’s Hospital Stay

Victory Academy Secondary Designing And Engineering A Prototype To Help People In Need

Overall winners

Primary - Ellington Infant School - Ada Twist Experiments

Secondary – The Folkestone School for Girls - How Flying Trapeze Artists Build Momentum