Eighty young people from across County Durham took part in a hands-on STEM Day delivered by the North East STEM Foundation (NESF) in partnership with New College Durham.
The Year 9–11s from Belmont Community School, Consett Academy, St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College, and St Bede’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College, took part in a full day of interactive learning designed to highlight the breadth of opportunities available across STEM disciplines.
College staff delivered workshops in civil engineering, maths and physics, and advanced manufacturing, giving students valuable experience of practical learning within a higher and technical education setting.
The programme was further strengthened by the involvement of new NESF business members, who provided real-world context to the technical sessions.
Dyer Engineering, which operates sites in Annfield Plain and Harelaw, led sessions including dexterity tests, health and safety exercises and immersive virtual welding experiences, offering students a taste of the skills required in modern manufacturing environments.
Meanwhile, Seaham-headquartered SMS Technology demonstrated how digital innovation, data and software are playing an increasingly critical role in STEM careers, highlighting the crossover between traditional engineering and emerging technologies.
Tania Cooper MBE, Chair of NE STEM Foundation, said: “It was fantastic to see so many young people fully engaged and enjoying the hands-on STEM activities on offer. Events like this bring education and industry together to inspire confidence, spark curiosity and help students understand where STEM subjects can lead. We’re proud to be working with New College Durham and delighted to welcome new business members whose involvement adds real-world relevance and impact for students.”
Alison Maynard, Deputy Principal of New College Durham added: “We were delighted to host and contribute to this STEM Day. Giving students an opportunity to experience practical STEM learning in a college environment, supported by both our staff and industry partners, is a powerful way to raise aspirations and highlight the exciting career pathways available.”
NESF continues to expand its network of education and industry partners across the North East. By engaging employers such as Dyer Engineering and SMS Technology, the foundation is helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world challenges, while enabling businesses to play an active role in developing the region’s future talent pipeline.
As it prepares for a busy programme of activity in 2026, the North East STEM Foundation is encouraging more STEM employers and organisations to support future events.
