Science Oxford, with sponsorship from Oxford Instruments, ran STEM FEST 2023, an event for teenagers (with a focus on year 9 and upwards).

The goal of the event was to showcase the opportunities and diversity in STEM and to inspire them to explore the opportunities these disciplines offer. The event took place during October half-term and included talks on areas like Quantum and Material Sciences, bringing together a mix of speakers from across the industry.

Taking place on October 24th during the half-term holidays, this was a one-day festival which aimed to inspire, engage and encourage the next generation to pursue STEM subjects and careers. Aimed at school students from year 9 and above, the day will include an Interactive Zone, where experts ran quick and engaging experiments from using liquid nitrogen to create ice cream to demonstrating the effects of atmospheric pressure on a number of innocent marshmallows.

There were also a series of short talks moderated by BBC presenter Ayo Sokale. With speakers from the University of Oxford, Siemens Healthcare, Quantum Dice, Tokamak Energy, Universal Quantum, the Geological Society, and Oxford Instruments PLC, the talks covered a variety of themes including diversity and sustainability, career journeys, and milestone moments.

STEM FEST showcased the diversity of opportunities a career in STEM offers. We plan to debunk the misconception that STEM careers follow a "one size fits all" approach, highlighting instead that the industry welcomes a wide array of talents and skills.