The ISA STEM Competition encourages pupils at our Members’ schools to investigate and consider solutions to modern day problems. Pupils are presented with an opportunity to showcase and develop skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving. Open to Key Stages 2-5.

STEM Competition 2026

Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to the winners. Please click on the entries below to see a few of the presentations.

Year 3-4: Design a paper rollercoaster that can support a marble

  • First Place: Oakhyrst Grange School, Thiyan P with Under the Sea Rollercoaster
  • Second Place: Kensington Wade School, Theodore I with Space Coaster
  • Judges Awards (in no particular order): Littlegarth School, Georgina P with Dinosaur Marble Run Game and Sienna S with Marble Run Game

Year 5-6: Design a self-sustaining terrarium

  • First Place: Crosfields School, Orion C, Freddie C & Izzy C with Terr-ific Terr-arium
  • Second Place: Crosfields School, Akira I & Elissa Z with First Steps on a New World
  • Judges Awards (in no particular order): Littlegarth School, Freya S with Terrarium and St Catherine's School, Twickenham, Anaya B, Clara H, Ria D & Scarlett D with Our 'Plant in A Bottle' Terrarium

Year 7-9: Design a toiletry item that is accessible for people with a disability

  • First Place: Malvern St James, Mikayla D T, Fleur W & Isla D with A Toothbrush Redesigned for Children Who are Austistic
  • Second Place: St Catherine's School Twickenham, Joanna F, Maya C & Harshini S with The Gyro-brush: Where Parkinson's has no limits
  • Judges Awards (in no particular order): Cranmore School, Tristan G & Edmund C with Disabled Handwasher and Crosfields School, Sauhitya, Megha & Melody with Smart Toothbrush

Year 10-13: Design a system to capture rainwater to irrigate and regreen deserts

  • First Place: St Catherine's School Twickenham, Claudia M, Imogen F, Catherine T, Farah W & Isabella W with Cardio - An Irrigation System to Regreen Deserts
  • Second Place: Gosfield School, Lylah B, William P, Seth M & Jack F with Regreening the Desert with Symbiotic Fungi
  • Judges Awards (in no particular order): Dwight School London, Maleha J, Abyssinia A & Cecilia H with Cactaqua and Heathfield School, Naomi A with The Stenocara System
     

    The competition this year was supported by Hyett Education

    Hyett Education delivers engaging STEM and Computing experiences throughout the UK, through hands-on workshops and teacher training that spark curiosity in the classroom. Their programs blend Computing, Design Technology, Engineering, and Science, captivating young minds from Reception to KS5 across the nation. Working in partnership with organisations like the Royal Air Force and Department for Nuclear Enterprise, they build imagination and the skills needed for tomorrow's world.

Click here for the ISA policies

If you have any queries about our competitions, please contact us at [email protected].

Only schools whose Head is a member of ISA are eligible to enter these competitions. Please contact our membership department if you wish to make an enquiry about joining ISA.