STEM charity inspires 10,000-plus young people

A North East education charity has reached more than 10,000 young people in the past year as it works to inspire the region’s next generation of engineers, constructors and innovators.

The North East STEM Foundation (NESF) supported 10,488 young people through initiatives connecting education with science, technology, engineering and maths opportunities.

The figure was revealed at the charity’s annual Black Tie Dinner at Dalton Old Pump House in Seaham.

Tania Cooper MBE, chair of NESF, said: “Reaching more than 10,000 young people in a single year demonstrates what can be achieved when education and business work together.

“Behind those numbers are thousands of experiences that can spark an interest, raise aspirations or introduce a young person to a career they may never previously have considered.”

Among NESF’s initiatives is Future Makers, which encourages seven to 18-year-olds to explore STEM subjects and careers.

Participation has risen from 956 children in 2022 to a record 2593 this year, while its Pupil Passport initiative, delivered alongside Sunderland-based innovation and business support organisation RTC North, has reached a further 2113 pupils.

The dinner also saw Sedgefield Community College named winner of the 2026 Build the Villain’s Machine competition, created by NESF alongside Ducati UK.

The challenge invited 11 to 18-year-olds to reimagine a Ducati motorcycle as a high-performance “villain’s machine”, combining engineering, design and creativity.

Teams from Polam Hall School in Darlington and Whitworth Park Academy in Spennymoor were named runners-up.

The winning students will receive a Ducati and Silverstone Performance Experience, including a behind-the-scenes visit to Ducati UK’s headquarters and a trip to Silverstone Circuit and its museum.

Tania added: “The competition was designed to show young people that engineering is creative, exciting and full of possibilities, and Sedgefield Community College’s winning entry really captured that, combining engineering understanding with imagination and creativity.”

Katie Lennox, Sedgefield Community College’s head of design technology, added: “Our students really embraced the challenge and put a huge amount of thought and effort into their ideas. 

“Experiences like this bring the subject to life and show young people the opportunities STEM subjects can open up.”

Will Hiftle, general sales manager at Vertu Ducati Sunderland, added: “Engineering, design and innovation are at the heart of Ducati, so we’re passionate about encouraging young people to explore these areas and discover where their own interests could take them. 

“It has been fantastic to see the creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the students who took part.”

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