A tour of the new facilities by CSES members
On Tuesday 21 July 2026, twenty-one CSES members enjoyed a visit to the Ray Dolby Centre, the new Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge!
First, under the expert guidance of the incredibly knowledgeable Dr Harry Cliff, the group were shown around the museum, where just a few display cases house some very significant artefacts dating back to the founding of the laboratory in 1874. Equipment used by James Clerk Maxwell, J J Thompson and Ernest Rutherford, to name just a few – which helped make some of the greatest scientific advances in our history – were brilliantly described by Harry.
As if that were not enough, the party then began a tour of the lab itself. With a new guide, Dr David Ward, they were taken into the extensive teaching and workshop areas of the £350 million building. The world-leading laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art clean rooms, every machine they could ever need, and the means – and the people – to manufacture any equipment that money cannot buy. David spoke extensively about the facilities, the laboratory's training programmes – including work experience for Year 10 or 12 students – and their collaboration with industry. The skilled technicians are able to produce equipment for businesses outside of the University.
Engineering Taster Session delivered by CSES
Our Secretary, Wai Bhone Myat (Jayce), has been actively supporting a group of 90 international students (aged 14–17) from various countries during their two-week summer school stay at the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Chelmsford campus. In addition to his responsibilities as an ARU Student Ambassador, Jayce took the initiative to design, coordinate, and execute an enriching engineering taster session for the visitors.
Working closely with the international group leader, Jayce organised an afternoon "Egg Drop Challenge", which took place on Saturday 18 July 2026 and successfully attracted 20 enthusiastic students. The volunteering team included David Humber, Zayeem Mitayeegiri (our previous Secretary), and Ed Bye.
Connect Your Students with the Future of Gaming at Playable Worlds on 21 October 2026
As part of the upcoming Chelmsford Science Festival, we are thrilled to invite your school to participate in the Playable Worlds youth-led gaming fringe festival coming to Chelmsford this October.
We are officially booking school groups for our dedicated Careers Experience Day on Wednesday 21 October, and want to ensure your students have the opportunity to attend. This is open to years 9-11.
To sign your school up to this event, please complete the simple registration form at: https://forms.microsoft.com/e/r6HQT8wGBh.
Congratulations to everyone who won an award at the 2026 CSES TEXPO, which took place on Friday 26 June 2026 at Anglia Ruskin University.
We are very pleased to announce that the winners are as follows:
Game on! Chelmsford event showcases careers in gaming
Following the successful pilot in October 2025, a special careers event at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in April 2026 showcases career opportunities in video gaming.
Schoolchildren from across Essex have come together to explore careers in the games industry at an event organised by CSES and hosted by ARU. The event aimed to encourage youngsters to explore the careers behind best-selling video games, from coding and sound design to writing, voiceover work and graphic design.
A short video of the event is available on the Essex County Council YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0le1TWzjM.
Peter Foreman, Former Honorary Treasurer, June 1937 to March 2026
Here we commemorate Peter Foreman, who peacefully passed away on 31st March 2026. Just two hours before he drew his last breath, he and son Chris were sharing recollections. He is remembered as a larger-than-life character, always forthright, almost always happy, and with an infectious laugh.
Until a few years’ ago, Peter was a long-standing and very active member of the Society. He was Honorary Treasurer for more than 20 years (all predating our online banking), handing over that baton in 2013, and was active on Council before and after.
Help CSES deliver a fun Primary School STEM Day in Chelmsford
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at an upcoming STEM Day hosted at Baddow Hall Junior School (Chelmsford) on Tuesday 30th June 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (possibly earlier finish). This is the second of two STEM days this month!
We will be bringing a selection of fun, hands-on activities – as seen at the highly popular Chelmsford Science Festival Family Weekend – to the school for a cohort of 60 primary pupils. Could you spare a school day or half-day to help us out? Everything is prepared and a full briefing will be provided, you just need to turn up.
What's provided:
- Food and drinks throughout the day.
- All resources and materials needed for the sessions.
Requirements:
- Must be (or be willing to become) a registered STEM Ambassador – this is FREE with no specific commitment.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to inspire young minds in science, technology, engineering, and maths.
Join us for a rewarding day of engagement and outreach!
Please contact David Humber if you are interested or would like to find out more.
Help CSES deliver a fun Primary School STEM Day in Halstead
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at an upcoming STEM Day hosted at Richard De Clare Community Academy (Halstead) on Thursday 4th June 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (possibly earlier finish). This is the first of two STEM days this month!
We will be bringing a selection of fun, hands-on activities – as seen at the highly popular Chelmsford Science Festival Family Weekend – to the school for a cohort of 100+ year 4-6 pupils. Could you spare a school day or half-day to help us out? Everything is prepared and a full briefing will be provided, you just need to turn up.
What's provided:
- Food and drinks throughout the day.
- All resources and materials needed for the sessions.
Requirements:
- Must be (or be willing to become) a registered STEM Ambassador – this is FREE with no specific commitment.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to inspire young minds in science, technology, engineering, and maths.
Join us for a rewarding day of engagement and outreach!
Please contact David Humber if you are interested or would like to find out more.
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.
We are seeking judges for the 2026 CSES Schools' Technology Exhibition (TEXPO).
The exhibition gives primary and secondary school students the opportunity to present their STEM projects to the CSES judges, with the potential of winning an award for themselves and/or their school. As ever, the whole ethos of the competition is to promote STEM subjects and careers to the students and to celebrate their achievements. Further information can be found on this page.
This year the event is to be held on Friday 26 June at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Chelmsford from 09:00 until 15:00 approx.
We are always interested in recruiting new judges, so if you have any link to STEM and would be interested, please contact