Isle of Man STEMFest has been shortlisted in the STEM Initiative category at the UK’s Collaborate to Innovate (C2I) Awards 2026.

Now in their 11th year, the awards are organised by UK magazine 'The Engineer' and celebrate outstanding collaboration, innovation and engineering excellence.

Isle of Man STEMFest is one of eight initiatives shortlisted in the STEM Initiative category, with other shortlisted projects involving some of the biggest names in engineering, industry and education, including Airbus UK, Rolls-Royce, Boeing, National Grid, GE Aerospace, Siemens Energy, the Royal Air Force (RAF), Imperial College London and University College London.

The winners will be announced at the C2I Awards ceremony on February 25 at One Great George Street, London.

Organised by government agency Business Isle of Man, STEMFest gives Year 5 and Year 6 students the opportunity to explore STEM through hands-on activities, demonstrating how people use these subjects at work and the careers they can lead to.

This year's event welcomed 840 pupils from all 33 of the island’s primary schools, with 27 businesses and organisations taking part.

Business Isle of Man delivers STEMFest with support from Digital Isle of Man and Finance Isle of Man, working alongside the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, the Awareness of Careers in Engineering (ACE) Committee, Construction Isle of Man, businesses and organisations across the Island.

Chief executive of Business Isle of Man Kirree Gooberman commented: 'Being shortlisted for a Collaborate to Innovate Award is fantastic recognition for STEMFest and the huge collective effort that goes into making the event possible each year.

'To see an Isle of Man initiative recognised alongside STEM programmes involving some of the biggest names in engineering, industry and education is something everyone involved can be incredibly proud of.

‘STEMFest has come a long way since it was first held in 2019, growing through the collaboration and support of businesses, organisations, schools and colleagues across Government. With our sixth event coming up in February 2027, this shortlisting is recognition of that shared commitment and I would like to thank everyone who has supported STEMFest, not only this year but throughout its development.’

Headteacher at Onchan Primary School Jo Richardson added: ‘STEMFest is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to take what they have been learning in the classroom and experience it in a completely different, practical way.

'The range of activities gives young people the chance to explore, ask questions and discover how science, technology, engineering and maths are used in the world around them.

‘It also introduces students to people working in different industries and helps them understand the variety of opportunities that could be open to them in the future. Experiences like STEMFest can really bring learning to life, and it is wonderful to see the event receiving recognition through this shortlisting.’

The next STEMFest will take place at the Villa Marina on February 10-11.

Businesses and organisations interested in getting involved in STEMFest 2027 can email [email protected] for further information.