Scarborough Science & Engineering Week 2023 wasn’t just about a three-day event—it was about creating lasting impact through innovative projects like the SSEW Challenge and ongoing support programs for schools, exhibitors, and families. With nearly 3,000 attendees, including over 180 challenge participants, the event inspired countless young minds to explore STEM in new, hands-on ways.

The SSEW Challenge: Can Plastic Be Fantastic?

In 2023, Scarborough Science & Engineering Week (SSEW) introduced an exciting new initiative to engage young people and their families in STEM learning: the SSEW Challenge, with the theme “Can Plastic Be Fantastic?” Funded through a Section 106 agreement, the challenge invited students aged 7-19 to think creatively about one of the biggest environmental issues of our time—plastic waste. The goal was simple but powerful: reimagine waste plastic and transform it into something useful.

Students, working individually or in teams, were tasked with designing, engineering, and constructing models or prototypes that repurposed plastic waste. The challenge wasn’t just for students—families were encouraged to participate, creating an early opportunity to engage young minds in STEM, promote the main SSEW event, and encourage family attendance at the evening sessions.

A total of 180 young people took part in the challenge, submitting ideas that ranged from practical solutions to artistic designs. The entries were judged on:

• Innovation – How original and creative were the ideas?
• Best Model/Prototype – How well was the concept brought to life?
• Use of Plastic Waste – How much plastic waste did the design aim to repurpose?

The overall winners were a group from Seamer & Irton Primary, who wowed the judges with their design and model of a new town built entirely from repurposed plastic. Their project demonstrated a deep understanding of sustainability and imaginative thinking in turning waste into something functional and visionary.

Primary School Shows: Science & Engineering Superheroes

Another highlight of SSEW 2023 was the Primary School Show, a theatre-based presentation funded by Anglo American and delivered by Science Made Simple. This year’s theme, “Science & Engineering Superheroes,” captivated the young audience, introducing them to the real-life heroes behind STEM industries. Not only did the show provide engaging educational content, but it also gave some breathing room to exhibitors, ensuring they could interact with students more effectively.

While Anglo American generously funded this year’s show, securing a new sponsor for 2024 is crucial to continuing this popular and impactful segment of SSEW for primary schools.

SSEW Support Programme

Thanks to further Section 106 funding, NYBEP implemented a comprehensive SSEW Support Programme to ensure all stakeholders—students, educators, exhibitors, and parents—were fully prepared for the event.

Key initiatives included:

• Exhibitor Support: An online information session in July and an in-person session at Scarborough Spa in September helped exhibitors get ready for the event. Attendees included Cirrus Research, Le Grand, and Beyond Housing.
• School Engagement: Online information sessions were held for both primary and secondary schools, with four schools attending. Two face-to-face sessions for secondary school students—‘Inspiring STEM’ and ‘What to Expect’—were offered to help students get the most out of SSEW. Due to time constraints, NYBEP created a ‘What to Expect’ video for schools to use in tutor groups, which was well-received.
• Parent/Carer Sessions: To encourage family engagement, NYBEP hosted an online session in October for parents and carers to help prepare their young people for the event. The session saw 12 attendees and was an important step in driving evening attendance.

Additionally, NYBEP developed custom communication packs with graphics and templates for exhibitors and schools to use on social media. This helped promote the event and ensure consistent messaging across platforms—support that exhibitors found extremely valuable.

Conclusion: Empowering STEM Exploration Beyond the Event

As NYBEP and its partners look ahead to 2024, the focus remains on growing the reach and impact of SSEW. With continued support and fresh sponsorship, future events promise to be even bigger, offering more opportunities for young people to dive into the exciting world of STEM.

Interested in partnering for SSEW 2024? Get in touch with NYBEP to find out how you can help inspire the next generation of innovators!