Following the outstanding success of STEMFest Yorkshire and Humber 2025, which brought together over 2,000 students and 200 educators for three days of immersive STEM learning, the Yorkshire & Humber STEM Hub, delivered by RTC North, is delighted to announce the return in 2026 at Events North in Leeds.
Last year’s event showcased the power of region wide collaboration, with more than 60 organisations from industry, academia, and the public sector joining forces to broaden participation in STEM and spark new aspirations among young people.
Post‑event evaluation highlighted exceptional engagement and long‑term educational impact, with:
- 89% of teachers reporting STEMFest helped students understand how STEM links to real world jobs.
- Teachers noting, they planned to embed learning from STEMFest into future lessons and curriculum planning.
- Exhibitors describing the event as a highlight of their outreach year, citing meaningful and sustained engagement with pupils.
- Students from both primary and secondary settings developing new interests in technology, cybersecurity, engineering, and health sciences.
- Many schools attending specifically to support underrepresented or underserved learners, strengthening equity ambitions across the region.
What to Expect in 2026
STEMFest returns 1st - 2nd July with two days of dynamic, hands‑on exploration designed to inspire 10–13‑year‑olds from across Yorkshire and the Humber. This year’s event will feature a series of immersive, industry‑led activity zones along with standout experiences. Over 50 interactive exhibits will showcase real STEM careers, equipment, and technologies with activities aimed to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and introduce young people to the breadth of careers available across STEM.
Claire Willis, Team Leader at the STEM Hub, said:
“After two fantastic years in Bradford, we’re excited to bring STEMFest Yorkshire and Humber to Leeds for 2026. This move reflects the growing scale and ambition of the event, giving us space to welcome even more schools from across the region and expand access to interactive STEM learning. We’re also inviting businesses to get involved through sponsorship or by leading hands‑on activities helping them build their future talent pipelines, raise brand visibility with schools and educators, demonstrate commitment to inclusion and ESG, and offer meaningful skills‑based volunteering opportunities for staff. Together, we can inspire the region’s next generation.”
Get Involved
STEMFest would not be possible without the generous support of organisations across the region. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Claire Willis – Claire.Willis@rtcnorth.co.uk
For more information and updates vistit STEMFest Y&H
