Education

Pupils at Richard de Clare Community Academy in Halstead enjoyed an engaging and interactive day of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) thanks to a collaborative initiative between Braintree District Council and CSES.

The special STEM event, held on Thursday 4 June, gave students the opportunity to take part in a series of hands-on workshops designed to demonstrate how STEM subjects are applied in professional careers.

Volunteers from CSES delivered the sessions, bringing STEM concepts to life through practical challenges and demonstrations.

Activities included protecting an egg dropped from height, building a bridge capable of supporting several kilograms using only a few pieces of paper and constructing load bearing towers from spaghetti and marshmallows.

Read more: Hands-on STEM Day inspires students at Richard de Clare Community Academy

For British Science Week (6-15 March 2026), Ed Bye and Nigel Stephens represented CSES at The Boswells School Science Fair. With exhibitors from other local organisations, they worked with Year 9 and Year 7 students on the school’s chosen theme of "Curiosity".

Activities and Displays

A set of hands‑on exhibits encouraged students to explore science and engineering through play, questioning, and practical investigation.

• A robotic comfort cat designed for dementia patients drew steady attention and opened discussions about assistive technology.
• LED eyelashes on a model head showed one way how electronics are being used in the fashion and beauty industries.
• A box of “electronic poo” – a humorous container filled with dead batteries – prompted conversations about recycling, waste management, and battery safety.
• An artificial‑urine battery powering an LED demonstrated how energy can be recovered from a natural by‑product that is normally flushed away. The exhibit showed how this waste stream can generate a small amount of electricity, reducing the cost on sanitation systems by turning part of that waste into a useful output.
• Hand dynamometers allowed students to test and compare their grip strength.
• Ring and peg puzzles challenged problem‑solving skills and persistence.

Read more: Boswells School Science Fair 2026

Now accepting entries for our annual STEM competition and exhibition

Welcome to the CSES Annual STEM Competition, TEXPO, a premier event that celebrates the ingenuity and creativity of students across Essex. This competition provides a unique platform for young minds to showcase their innovative projects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Why Participate?

Participating in the TEXPO offers numerous benefits:

• Exposure to Industry Professionals: Your projects will be judged by experienced scientists and engineers, providing valuable feedback and career insights.
• Skill Development: Enhance your research, presentation, and problem-solving skills through hands-on project work and public speaking.
• Networking Opportunities: Meet and interact with peers from other schools, local dignitaries, and industry leaders.
• Recognition and Awards: Compete for substantial cash prizes and accolades that can bolster your CV or university applications.

Register your entry now!

Read more: Now open: CSES TEXPO 2026

In December we played host, with ARU, to students and teachers from all over Essex at our third annual series of FREE Christmas Lectures for schools.

The lectures are proving to be more and more popular each year – so much so that this time we had to offer two different speakers to satisfy demand! On Wednesday 10 December 2025, Professor Neil Lawrence, Deepmind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge, presented his lecture entitled “The Atomic Human”. Students were asked to think about what makes us human and Prof Lawrence explained why he thinks that Artificial Intelligence can never replace the human brain.

The following week we welcomed Grace Dickinson from Reptiles Etc. In a very different lecture, “Animal Encounters”, she spoke about relationships between humans and animals throughout time. From the earliest encounters with wolves, to rats used to locate landmines, Grace explained how animals work with humans to benefit us all. She went on to speak about her work as an “Animal Wrangler” in the film industry and the lecture ended with some thrilling demonstrations, including a Barn Owl flying just above the heads of the students!

Read more: AI and Animal Wrangling: The CSES/ARU Christmas Lectures 2025