School children across ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ will once again be inspired to become the next generation of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs through the launch of the Primary STEM Challenge 2025/26.
Set by ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ County Council’s Early Careers team, part of Careers ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ, the Challenge is aimed at learners aged 7-11 (KS2) and is delivered in partnership with STEMworks.
This year’s Challenge has been set in co-operation with West Midlands Safari Park, with pupils tasked to design and create a theme park ride for eight passengers, inspired by the park’s most important residents – their animals.
Matt Tope, Programme Manager for Early Careers, said, "The focus for Early Careers is to connect and support students and local employers across ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ. Our Early Careers team are working with primary schools and local businesses to embed career learning at a younger age, inspiring young people as they progress through school and begin to think about the world of work. Every year the Challenge is accepted by more and more schools and it’s incredible to see what they develop, and how they work together to create real-world solutions using science, technology, engineering and maths."
Niccei Castanheira, Head of People, Development & Culture at West Midlands Safari Park, added, "We’re delighted to be part of this year’s ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ Primary STEM Challenge. As one of the region’s most visited attractions, West Midlands Safari Park is committed to protecting species and supporting conservation research and we’re proud to bring these themes into this year’s Challenge. It’s an exciting opportunity for pupils to think creatively, link their ideas to the natural world, and develop innovative solutions. We can’t wait to see the results of their hard work and imagination."
Delivered directly in schools by STEMworks, pupils are introduced to the design brief and supported to start developing their ideas. Working in teams, they will design, build, and test a working model with the most successful entries progressing to the county finals.
The ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ Primary STEM Challenge is supported locally by all six of the counties district councils.
The county finals will take place in June 2026, hosted across two major venues: MAZAK in Worcester and Kidderminster College.
For more information on Early Careers from ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ County Council, visit the Skills for ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ website.
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