Celebrating Innovation at the EESW 6th Form Project Awards and Presentation Day 2026
On 11 March 2026, EESW STEM Cymru proudly hosted its annual 6th Form Project Awards and Presentation Day (APD), bringing together some of the brightest young minds from across North Wales. This year’s event welcomed 18 Sixth Form teams representing eight secondary schools, all eager to showcase the results of months of hard work, creativity, and collaboration.
The day was a true celebration of innovation. Students presented a wide range of imaginative ideas and carefully developed solutions to real-world challenges set by their partner companies. Their enthusiasm was evident throughout, and the standard of work on display reflected both their dedication and the strength of the programme. The potential demonstrated by these young people was truly inspiring, and we are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved.
We were honoured to welcome the President of EESW STEM Cymru, Lord Barry Jones, accompanied by Lady Janet Jones. Both were highly impressed by the creativity, professionalism, and quality of the students’ projects. They also commended the ongoing efforts of the EESW team in delivering such a successful and impactful event year after year.
This year’s event was held at Conwy Business Centre, which proved to be an excellent venue. It comfortably accommodated all participating teams, judges, and industry representatives, while providing a welcoming and engaging environment for the day’s activities.
A key highlight of the event was the involvement of eight industry partner companies. Each organisation hosted a stand and delivered short presentations, offering students valuable insights into their work, career pathways, and opportunities within STEM sectors. From apprenticeships to future job prospects, students gained first-hand knowledge and advice from professionals currently working in the field, an invaluable addition to their project experience.
The success of the day would not have been possible without the dedication of our judging panel. Judges took the time to listen carefully to each team, providing thoughtful feedback and thorough assessments. Encouragingly, they noted continued improvement in the overall standard and quality of projects compared to previous years. We are extremely grateful for their commitment and look forward to welcoming them again in the future.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors of this year’s awards: IMEC, RICS, the Spectris Foundation, the Innovation Team at Welsh Government, and WJEC. Their continued support plays a vital role in enabling opportunities like this for young people across Wales. Special thanks go to Susan Miles (WJEC), Erin Walsh (Welsh Government Innovation Team), and Gareth Cemlyn Jones (IMechE) for attending the event and presenting awards to the deserving teams.
The 2026 APD was a resounding success, highlighting not only the talent and ambition of our students but also the strength of collaboration between education and industry. We look forward to building on this success in the years to come.
Awards and Winners
Ian Binning Award for Best Use of Mechanical Engineering Principle - Ysgol Alun 2
RICS - Best Use of STEM for Sustainability and the Environment - Ysgol David Hughes 1
Spectris Foundation - Best Use of IT/Coding - Hawarden High School
Welsh Government (Innovation Team) - Most Innovative Solution to the Project Set- Ysgol Friars 3
WJEC/ CBAC -Best Overall Written Report - Ysgol Friars 8
