Education
We are a key provider and coordinator of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education activities and support in Essex. These are for students at school and home, and are designed to both stimulate an interest in STEM and to open possible career paths.
» See upcoming CSES events for schools, children and families
Including our flagship annual TEXPO, projects and online competitions throughout the year.
Out-of-school clubs, masterclasses and projects to enhance learning with fun, practical activities.
Financial and in-kind support for your STEM Club, project or activity at school.
Interactive conferences attended by students, industry partners and the public sector.
A FREE annual CSES/ARU lecture from a high-profile speaker, open to all schools.
Careers guidance, STE(A)M activities, ideas and other material for all ages both in school and at home.
Take inspiration from what others have been getting up to.
Talk to us about dedicated support, resources, projects and competitions for your school.
We are pleased to advise that our Centenary Photographic Competition 2021 is open for another four weeks, to allow as many people to participate as possible following the summer holidays and busy start of term.
The deadline for entry has now been extended to Friday 15 October 2021.
The competition, with this year's theme of Fresh Air, Fresh Thinking is open to anyone in full time or part time education in Essex and explores the key link between the creative arts and STEM.
We want you to take photographs that express what air pollution means to you, or how it impacts our health or our environment, and the negative or positive roles that technology can play.
Read full details here and submit your entry here (please make sure to read the FAQs, terms and conditions first!)
Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult announces apprenticeship vacancies
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult has opened its first apprenticeship vacancies at its Braintree facility, working on the development of vaccines. This would be a fantastic opportunity for someone in the local area. Please note that deadlines are very close (early-mid September 2021), but there is still time to apply!
Follow the links below to see further details and to apply:
- Apprentice Engineer
- Technician Scientist Apprenticeship
- Apprentice Quality Technician
- Human Resource Apprentice (Level 3)
These are an excellent chance to work at the cutting edge of science and medical technology.
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is one of a network of elite technology and innovation centres established by Innovate UK as a long-term investment in the UK's economic capability. Applying business-led research, Catapults help businesses transform great ideas into valuable products and services to compete in the global markets of tomorrow.
A project for Primary and Secondary School Students: September 2021 to June 2022
We are launching a major new science, technology and computing project for primary and secondary schools.
We are looking for participating schools across Essex to become CSES School Affiliate Members where student teams will:
- Collect weather and air quality information (equipment will be supplied).
- Interpret, publish and share data in real-time with other schools – opportunity for coding and web development.
- Undertake a survey of student, staff or parent perceptions of air pollution.
- Design and carry out a scientific investigation into clean air, nitrous oxides or particulate matter. Or you can discuss your own idea with your CSES School Champion to develop your own unique study.
To maximise the success of these student-led projects, additional competitive funding may be available from our CSES STEM Club Bursary.
There will be PRIZES for the most innovative, best data and greatest impact entry in each age group, presented at our annual awards ceremony at Anglia Ruskin University in July. In consultation with your CSES Champion, teams may be funded to enter their project for an appropriate level National CREST Award.
We are now looking for schools across Essex (including the unitary authorities) to become CSES School Affiliate Members and discuss how they would like to be involved in this exciting project.
Please contact our Vice President for Education, Professor David Humber, for further information (
After our very successful 2020 photographic competition, which received some outstanding photographs depicting important aspects of the history of science and technology in Essex, we are pleased to open again for entries in 2021.
The competition is open to anyone in full time or part time education in Essex and again explores the key link between the creative arts and STEM. As part of a bigger project, which we will be running later this year, the theme of this year's competition is:
Fresh Air, Fresh Thinking
While pollution is a multifaceted global problem, from agricultural pollutants such as nitrates and ammonia to mercury and lead contamination and of course our worrying reliance on single-use plastics, air pollution is often less noticeable but is increasingly harming both our health and our environment.
We want you to take photographs that express what air pollution means to you, or how it impacts our health or our environment, and the negative or positive roles that technology can play. Each photograph should be accompanied with a short explanation (not more than 50 words) of the story or thoughts behind it.
Listen to the stories of those working in engineering, including CSES President Adam Wood
In association with Silver Fox, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have launched a series of podcasts called Engineering Stories. These are an excellent opportunity for young engineers to hear the tales of those who have been there and done that.
In Episode 3, hosts Alex and Connor welcome Systems Engineer, Adam Wood to the show. Adam has had an interesting career working in the rail, defence and healthcare sectors, currently working at Teledyne e2v. Adam shares some interesting insight on the similarities and differences between them, as well as talks about the work he is doing for the Chelmsford Science & Engineering Society.
- Spring 2021 Imagine! STEAM Competition winners announced
- Southend Virtual Careers Fair
- Sandra's Story: Science Experiments
- STEM Ambassador Programme Launches Online Mentoring Scheme
- Trust Science: Help Make Essex Covid-Safe
- CSES Imagine! Plastic – Friend or Foe?
- CSES Imagine! Environmental Challenge
- Centenary Photo Competition winners announced
- Bridge building competition winners announced
- Centenary Photographic Competition 2020