Finalists Revealed for Big Bang STEM Competition 2026

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Exciting news! The finalists for The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition 2026 have just been revealed, showcasing some truly innovative young minds from all over the UK. After sifting through hundreds of entries, these talented individuals are now gearing up for the final judging stage, where they'll get valuable feedback from industry experts before the winners are celebrated at an awards ceremony during The Big Bang Fair in June.

Organized by EngineeringUK, this premier annual STEM competition inspires young people to unleash their creativity, question the status quo, and tackle real-world challenges with their innovative solutions.

This year's finalists are a testament to the incredible talent in the young STEM community, featuring projects like aircraft designs inspired by nature, renewable energy solutions harnessed from everyday movements, an AI-driven recycling bin, and even a sustainable floating farm—all vying for the top honors in the competition.

The prestigious awards up for grabs include The Big Bang UK Young Engineer of the Year Award, now supported by Thales for the first time, The Big Bang UK Young Technologist of the Year Award, backed by Siemens, and The Big Bang UK Young Scientist of the Year Award.

Phillip McShane, Associate Director of Engagement Projects at EngineeringUK, shared his enthusiasm:

“It’s fantastic to witness so many young people connecting their creativity with the power of STEM to address real-world issues. The quality of projects this year has been outstanding.

“The themes of environment, AI, and health remain popular as young innovators turn to engineering and technology for solutions. This year, we’ve seen participants combining an even wider range of STEM skills to bring their ideas to fruition.”

There's strong industry support for nurturing the next generation of STEM talent!

Alongside the main awards, a variety of special prizes are generously backed by prominent organizations in the engineering, technology, and innovation fields. These include Accenture, Catapult Energy Systems, the Energy Institute, the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM), the Intellectual Property Office, Network Rail, Stantec, and the 67th London International Youth Science Forum 2026 (LIYSF).

James Mackay, who heads STEM initiatives in the UK at Thales, shared his thoughts:

“Congratulations to all the young minds who have participated in The Big Bang Competition! Your curiosity, creativity, and drive to explore new possibilities are genuinely inspiring.

“At Thales, we’re thrilled to support this competition for the first time and to help cultivate the next wave of engineers and innovators. My colleagues and I have loved reviewing the submissions and providing feedback; it’s been amazing to see such a wealth of exciting ideas.

“The concepts these young innovators are developing today could very well shape a brighter future, and we encourage all young people to keep exploring, questioning, and believing in their potential.”

Mark Wood, Social Sustainability Lead for Great Britain and Ireland at Siemens, also expressed his enthusiasm:

“Congratulations to all the finalists in The Big Bang Competition, proudly supported by Siemens. The competition has been incredibly fierce, and the finalists should take great pride in their accomplishments thus far.

“Technology is crucial in tackling many of the challenges we face daily. Competitions like The Big Bang Competition, which blend creativity with practical, tech-driven solutions, are more vital than ever for our environment, society, and future.”