CSES has been working with ARU, Culture Chelmsford and the Spark! Youth Forum to bid for a significant national funding package that will enable three projects, including an expansion of the Chelmsford Science Festival. The full press release follows.

As part of a pilot project, we are seeking schools and industry partners who would be interested in holding an event focused on careers in the gaming industry (in the broadest sense). Please contact Adam Wood if you'd like to find out more.

Press Release: Young People Lead a Cultural Revolution in Chelmsford with Landmark £250,000 Investment

Chelmsford, Essex – Tuesday 27 May – Young people in Chelmsford are taking the lead in shaping the city's cultural future, thanks to a major £250,000 investment from Arts Council England, through the National Lottery Place Partnership Fund. This two-year, youth-led initiative marks the largest strategic cultural grant ever awarded in the district. It represents a bold new model for youth-powered civic leadership in the UK.

The Young Cultural Changemakers Programme will put 13–25-year-olds from local youth changemakers, Spark!, in the driving seat of decision-making. They’ll deliver cultural events, influence public policy, and help build a stronger, more inclusive creative economy that will benefit the Chelmsford district. The project is produced by Culture Chelmsford, and delivered in partnership with Chelmsford City Council, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford For You, and Chelmsford College.

Formed in 2022 through the Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP), Spark! was established to amplify young voices, remove barriers to accessing creative opportunities and develop the next generation of civic changemakers. Now, thanks to the joint investment of Arts Council England and citywide partners, this expanded programme places young people in leadership roles, shaping Chelmsford’s cultural landscape and building pathways into the UK’s £124 billion creative industries.

Read more: CSES helps to secure major investment for Chelmsford Science Festival

Not-For-Profits in STEM Education winner 2025

CSES is delighted to announce that, following a nomination by Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS), we have been selected as a winner of the 2025 SheCanCode STEM Educator Awards!

The SheCanCode team said:

Your organisation's dedication to inspiring the next generation of women in STEM has not gone unnoticed. Through your work, you’ve helped break down barriers, spark curiosity, and create more inclusive opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Our community and judging panel were incredibly impressed by your passion, innovation, and commitment to driving change.

Our sincere thanks to Preena Kurian, Physics & STEM Lead at CCHS, with whom we have been collaborating on several projects recently and who very kindly nominated CSES for this award (citation below). We look forward to continue working with Preena and the team at CCHS!

Read more: CSES Wins SheCanCode STEM Educator Award

Essex Central REMAP have entered their REMAP FLYER soapbox for the last few years in the Billericay Soapbox Derby. Ahead of the run down the hill, each soapbox team performs an act. This year, REMAP were helped by the Felsted School, who performed a sketch from the musical Matilda. This is a photo of the cast before the run in front of the REMAP stand at the event, which many thousands of people attend. Felsted pupils have been helping REMAP to make equipment for people with disabilities over the last few years, following an entry to CSES TEXPO 2023.

Help CSES deliver a fun Primary School STEM Day

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at an upcoming STEM Day hosted at Rayne Primary and Nursery School on Thursday 19th June, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

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 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.
• 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 or Zayeem Mitayeegiri if you are interested or would like to find out more.

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: CSES TEXPO 2025 is open!

On 13 December 2024, our Year 12 and 13 students enjoyed an inspiring festive trip to Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford for a Christmas lecture on Engineering and Manufacturing. Hosted by the Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society, the event provided a fascinating insight into the rapidly evolving world of technology and industry.

The lecture highlighted the intricate workings of supply chains and networks, revealing how precision and collaboration are essential in delivering goods and services. Students also explored cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future, including artificial intelligence and novel energy resources. These innovations promise to revolutionise the manufacturing industry, offering more efficient, sustainable, and creative ways to produce and distribute products.

The experience was both educational and engaging, sparking curiosity about STEM careers. Students left with a deeper understanding of how engineering and manufacturing intersect with global challenges such as sustainability and energy efficiency. This trip reminded us of the power of innovation to create a brighter, greener future – and perhaps inspired the next generation of engineers and inventors among us!

Original article by New Hall School. Text reproduced with kind permission.

The Big Bang Competition is open for entries! Inspire students to work together, problem solve and get creative with science, engineering and technology. Celebrate your students’ inner innovator with technology prizes, supported by Siemens.

Entries will close on 26 March at 5pm!

Find out more about The Competition and how to enter online.

Entries are also open for our TEXPO 2025 Competition – further details to follow soon!

Read more: Big Bang Competition 2025

You may have noticed that the look and feel of the website has changed slightly. This is because we are in the process of upgrading the software on which the website is based – this is a major upgrade involving several software components and a complete replacement of the visual template. We are therefore taking the opportunity to have a refresh, and to bring everything up-to-date in terms of accessibility, mobile device compatibility and so on.

Please bear with us while this work is completed. The main functions of the website should all be working, but there are still several behind-the-scenes upgrades to be made and various tweaks required to get everything fully back online. These will take place over the coming weeks.

If you have any problems using the website or find something not working, please do get in touch.