TechFest

15/09/2026

Are you a secondary teacher in Scotland? 🧪🔬

Wondering how CREST Awards can link to the Scottish curriculum?

Check out the CREST Secondary School Curriculum Mapping Tool to discover how CREST can support learning in your classroom.

👉 https://www.crestawards.org/resources/crest-secondary-curriculum-mapping-tool-scotland/

And don’t forget to use code T22echFest56 to order your FREE CREST Awards! 🎉

13/09/2026

🔬✨Explorathon 2026 is back! ✨🔬

Join researchers from across the University of Aberdeen and beyond for a fun-filled Discovery Day where children and families can explore, create and discover through exciting hands-on activities! 🧪🎨🔍

📅 27 September 2026
🕚 11:00–16:00.

For more info: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/24381

10/09/2026

STEM on the Wind Farm is officially underway! ⚡

Today, TechFest was proud to launch STEM on the Wind Farm, an exciting new initiative giving senior pupils across Scotland a hands-on introduction to one of the country’s fastest-growing and most vital sectors: renewable energy. 🌱

Building on the success of our long-established STEM in the Pipeline programme, STEM on the Wind Farm challenges S6 pupils to step into the roles of industry professionals and explore what it takes to develop a wind farm, from the initial concept right through to a full project proposal.

Seven teams from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have joined us for the launch, with pupils forming their own mock companies and working together to design a wind farm project.

Along the way, teams will tackle real-world challenges including:
🔹 Site assessment and feasibility
🔹 Turbine selection and layout optimisation
🔹 Communications and stakeholder engagement
🔹 Environmental considerations and permitting
🔹 Financial planning and project delivery

Each team will develop a written proposal before presenting their project at a final showcase event with industry professionals providing mentorship, insight and a window into the wide range of STEM careers within the wind energy sector.

We’re excited to see what these future engineers, scientists, project managers, environmental specialists and business leaders come up with! 🌍

Thanks to our sponsors, Thistle Wind Partners, Energy Transition Zone Ltd, and our supporters, Red Rock Renewables.

07/09/2026

Congratulations to Harlaw Academy - Wind Energy Challenge winners! 🏆

A huge congratulations to Harlaw Academy, crowned the overall winners of TechFest’s Wind Energy Challenge at an exciting final at Aberdeen Science Centre! 🎉

The challenge, organised by TechFest in partnership with GB Energy, Energy Transition Zone Ltd, Robert Gordon University, and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) saw pupils from 5 schools across Aberdeen City work in teams to design a wind farm capable of powering an Aberdeenshire village, considering the technical, financial, environmental and community impacts of their proposals. Teams from Bridge Of Don Academy, Harlaw Academy, Lochside Academy, St Machar Academy and Dyce Academy first competed in their own in-school challenges with the winning teams from each school progressed to the final.

All the teams did an incredible job, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and an impressive understanding of the challenges involved in developing a wind energy project.

Well done to everyone who took part, and congratulations to Harlaw Academy! As winners, the team will be invited to the opening of the GB Energy headquarters later this month.

GB Energy | Energy Transition Zone Ltd | Robert Gordon University | Developing the Young Workforce (DYW)

06/09/2026

Could your pupils help shape the conversation around one of science’s big questions?

TechFest is delighted to be working with the Royal Institution (Ri) to bring the Ri Youth Summit to Scotland for young people aged 16–18.

Open to pupils across STEM, social sciences and humanities, the Summit will bring young people together to explore and debate a major scientific topic and its impact on society.

The day supports Curriculum for Excellence, giving pupils an opportunity to develop critical thinking, communication and evaluation skills, consider different perspectives and confidently express their own views.

Most importantly, their voices will be heard – discussions from the Youth Summits will help inform the Royal Institution’s 2026 Christmas Lectures.

The 2026 STEM topic will be revealed next week, but schools can register their pupils now.
📅 Date: 7th October 2026
📍 Venue: Energy Transition Skills Hub
👥 Age: S5 - S6
🎟️ Cost: FREE
🔗 Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/4iTfK1YgCc

06/09/2026

💡 CREST Awards Resource of the Month! 🧪✨

Did you know that CREST Awards has a huge range of FREE resources for pupils, teachers and parents to help inspire and support STEM projects?

Each month, we’ll be highlighting a different resource to help you discover new ways to get creative with STEM.

This month we are taking a look at the Silver Award – Design and Build a Disco Light! 💃🕺

This exciting Silver project challenges students aged 14+ to investigate the properties of a disco light before designing and building their own model version.

It’s a great opportunity for pupils to explore science and engineering while developing their creativity, problem-solving and practical skills. 🔧💡

👉 Click here to access the full FREE resource: https://www.crestawards.org/resources/crest-silver-design-and-build-a-disco-light/

And there’s even more good news! CREST is completely FREE in Scotland. You can apply and receive your certificate free in the post by using the code:

T22echFest56

05/09/2026

🌍 International Day of Charity 💙

This International Day of Charity, we’re celebrating the power of giving and the difference it can make in inspiring the scientists, engineers and innovators of tomorrow. 🧪🚀

Every donation, big or small, helps TechFest bring exciting, hands-on science experiences to children, families and communities across the North East of Scotland.

Your support helps us:

🧪 Deliver engaging, hands-on STEM activities
🌍 Inspire curiosity and a lifelong love of science
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Reach more schools, families and communities
🚀 Make science fun, interactive and accessible to everyone

If you’ve enjoyed a TechFest event, supported our work, or simply believe in the power of inspiring young minds through science, we’d be incredibly grateful for your support. https://www.justgiving.com/charity/Tech-Fest?fbclid=IwY2xjawUFAcFwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6bCibBF8mQZ2GhVsnc5E2ZeidMWG2hcXsuhz7thiTycGrkaB7hjt4mTz1hsw_aem_Ef-2RhbHNNTG_gk22gg3bQ

Giving.com trading as JustGiving is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Payment Service Regulations 2017.

03/09/2026

Today marked the launch of the 20th year of STEM in the Pipeline, hosted at Robert Gordon University - bringing together 14 teams from 14 schools across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

What started 20 years ago with a simple idea has grown into an inspiring programme that connects young people with STEM, industry and real-world challenges.

The journey begins with an Introduction Day, where students are given the information, tools and inspiration they need to take on the project. Over the following months, teams will conduct independent research, work through their Task Book and develop their ideas whilst being supported along the way by an industry professional who acts as their mentor.

As we celebrate two decades of STEM in the Pipeline, we’re looking forward to seeing the ideas, creativity and enthusiasm of the 2026 cohort. 🌟

A huge thank you to everyone who continues to make this programme possible and to the schools, teachers, mentors and industry partners who help inspire the next generation of STEM talent.

Adura | bp | CNOOC International | Ithaca Energy | Harbour Energy | Serica Energy plc | SPE Aberdeen

01/09/2026

20 years ago, STEM in the Pipeline began with a simple idea… 💡

Now, as we count down to the launch day for the 2026 cohort, we’re taking a journey through the last 20 years - celebrating the people, moments and milestones that have shaped our story. 🚀

Adura | bp | CNOOC International | Ithaca Energy | Harbour Energy | Serica Energy | SPE Aberdeen Section

26/08/2026

It's that time of year again where we are so excited to be joining our fellow third sector organisations at this year’s Celebrate Aberdeen Parade! 💙

Looking for something to do on Saturday morning? Come along and show your support for Aberdeen’s amazing third sector organisations! 🙌

If you spot us in the parade, be sure to say hi! 👋