STEM Fest 2025 welcomed more than 800 primary school kids

Postponed event held at the Villa Marina last week

More than 800 primary school children attended STEM Fest 2025 at the Villa Marina last week.

The annual educational initiative aims to ignite interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers.

The event at the Villa Marina saw 25 local companies and organisations host interactive exhibits and hands-on activities in three key zones dedicated to Engineering and Construction, Science, and Technology and Maths.

This year's STEM Fest had a budget of £14,000.

It was postponed last year because staff shortages at Bus Vannin meant they couldn't arrange for all the students to get there.

Chair of Business Isle of Man Steve Pickett said: "STEM subjects can sometimes feel confined to textbooks and theories, but STEMFest brings these subjects to life, and that’s what makes it a standout event in the academic calendar.

"Every year, I am truly impressed by the calibre of activities and immensely grateful to the participating local businesses and organisations for giving their time and resources to create such an engaging array of activities for the students."

Group Business Development Director at MMD GPHC Ltd Chris Pearson added: "The students, as always, were the stars of the show! 

"They were attentive, interactive, and polite throughout the day.

"I hope we managed to bridge the gap between education and real-world skills, make STEM careers exciting and relatable, and that some of the students will have gone home to their parents excited at the prospect of starting a career in a STEM subject!"

Anna Jackson, Executive Head Teacher for Marown Primary School and Peel Clothworkers’ School commented: "I think it is incredibly important that our children get the opportunity to come and explore how the skills they are learning throughout their school life can be deployed into different career paths."

The event was organised by the Department for Enterprise with support from the Awareness of Careers in Engineering (ACE) Forum, Construction Isle of Man, and members of STEM organisations in the private and public sector. 

Event giveaways for students were sponsored by Orsted and MMD GPHC Ltd.

Companies or schools who would like to participate in next year’s STEMFest are asked to get in touch at stemfest@gov.im.