NEWS

Thousands of young people explored the possibilities of science, technology, engineering and maths at STEMFest North East 2026, a three-day STEM festival connecting pupils with employers from across the region.

Organised by the STEM Hub and delivered by RTC North, the event took place from 6–8 October at the VERTU Motors Arena in Newcastle. Around 3,000 primary and secondary school pupils attended, with 60 organisations delivering immersive activities, inspiring demonstrations and meaningful encounters with people working in STEM.

Across the three days, pupils discovered how STEM skills are used in real-world roles through interactive challenges, practical demonstrations and conversations with employers. The experiences encouraged young people to ask questions, explore future career pathways and recognise the opportunities available on their doorstep.

The event opened with a business breakfast hosted by Dallas Campbell. Speakers included Jamie Ollivere, Chief Executive at RTC North, which delivers the STEM Hub programme and STEMFest, and Kim Smith from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. Both highlighted the importance of inspiring young people and the role events such as STEMFest can play in supporting the future prosperity of the North East.

Accenture supported the event as Headline Sponsor, helping to bring hands-on STEM experiences to young people from state schools across the region.

Alec Berry, Managing Director at Accenture’s Newcastle Advanced Technology Centre, said:

“We are proud to have been Headline Sponsors of STEMFest North East 2026, helping bring three inspiring days of STEM learning and discovery to life. Our team gave pupils the chance to experience technology first-hand, from meeting our PiDogs and taking on interactive challenges, to hearing directly from our people about the variety of careers available in technology. Seeing so much curiosity and enthusiasm from the young people who took part was fantastic and a brilliant reminder of the talent and potential we have here in the North East. Thank you to RTC North and the STEM Hub for bringing it all together, and to our team whose time, energy and commitment helped make the event such a success.”

Cummins once again supported STEMFest Newcastle, continuing its long-standing involvement in the event and its commitment to inspiring future engineers and scientists. A range of organisations also helped bring different STEM themes to life throughout the festival zones, including:

Lockheed Martin | Space Zone Sponsor

North East STEM Foundation | Technology Zone Sponsor

Siemens Energy | Environment & Energy Zone Sponsor

The Reece Foundation | Manufacturing Zone Sponsor

One of the event’s most memorable moments came when Jarek Rosinski, Founder and Executive Chairman of Cramlington-based Transmission Dynamics, introduced a humanoid robot that welcomed pupils to STEMFest and generated a lot of excitement.

Dawn Ross, STEM Hub Liaison Coordinator, commented:

“There was something really special about STEMFest this year. From Dallas Campbell talking about space and capturing the imagination of the students, to seeing a humanoid robot demonstrating just how quickly technology is moving, there was a real sense of excitement about what the future could hold. Seeing young people getting involved, asking questions and discovering opportunities they may never have considered before is exactly why we bring STEMFest to life each year.

Behind every STEMFest event is a community of people who believe in its vision. Thank you to our amazing sponsors and supporters for helping make this event possible.”

RTC North is now into its seventh year of delivering STEMFest events across the region. These events give pupils an accessible and engaging way to experience STEM while helping employers connect with the next generation of talent. By meeting industry professionals and taking part in practical activities, young people are encouraged to build confidence, challenge perceptions and understand how the subjects they study can lead to rewarding careers.

The next STEMFest event is scheduled to take place 30th June – 1st July in Hull, you can find out more about this event by visiting: stem-hub.co.uk/stemfest/york-humb or by contacting Erin.Wilkinson@rtcnorth.co.uk if you have any questions.