With faster technological advancements and the continued rise of the digital age, many employers are looking for candidates with a passion for innovation.
TechFest’s ‘STEM into Innovation’, supported by the NCR Foundation, takes students on an exploration into product design and development, while putting their STEM skills to the test!
STEM into Innovation: Pioneers of Progress focuses on the history, present and the future of instant communication as we explore the remarkable evolution of the devices of instant communication. From the early days of clunky landlines tethered to walls, to brain implants that allow us to talk to each other.
The programme will be taught through video content with follow up challenges that can be run in class within your own timeframe. Student’s maths, writing, designing, teamworking and marketing skills will be challenged.
This project has been designed to be delivered by teachers of any subject. CPD training sessions and remote support will be provided to all teachers.
STEM into Innovation: Pioneers of Progress
Available for the entire academic year of 2024
Age Range: aimed at S1 - S2
Run Time: activities flexible to suit from 15 minutes – 1 hour
Number of activities: 3 video episodes (including 15 modular activities)
CfE links:
LIT 3-04a, LIT 4-04a, LIT 3-07a, LIT 4-07a, MNU 3-03a, MNU 4-03a, MNU 3-10a, MNU 4-10b, MNU 3-20a, SCN 3-20b, SCN 4-20a, SCN 4-20b, TCH 3-05a, TCH 4-05a, TCH 3-07a, TCH 3-08a
Cost to take part: free!
The CREST Awards scheme is the British Science Association’s flagship programme for young people. CREST is a scheme that inspires young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers.
STEM into Innovation: Pioneers of Progress can be put towards achieving a CREST Discovery Award. CREST Awards are now free in Scotland. Please use the code T22echFest56 to order your certificates at no cost, which also supports TechFest. Find out more about how you could use these activities to gain a CREST Award here.
Registered teachers will receive: A Teacher Planning Resource that explains the rationale behind the project, Activity & Answer booklet, 3 Videos to accompany the activities, PP presentation with project information that you can use.
For any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
TEDEd Aberdeen was a new initiative created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to inspire, educate and share “ideas worth spreading”.
We invited secondary school students from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to present their STEM related ideas where things like AI, digital, energy transition, inventors from the NE were discussed.
See the talks of the 11 brilliant students below!
What is TEDx?
TEDx is a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
At a TEDx event, TED talk videos and live speakers combine to spark discussion and connection.
These local, self-organised events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organised TED event.
After the incredible success of the 2021 and 2022 TEDxAberdeen events, we were delighted to introduce an event directly aimed at the next generation of inspiring speakers and those with a passion for sharing their ideas with others.
With the ‘Ed’ standing for Education, TEDEd is dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the ideas of educators - be they teachers, the community or students themselves - around the world.
See you in 2025 when we hope to run TedEd Aberdeen again!
See TEDxAberdeen and TED websites to learn more.
Welcome to TechFest Talks, Space into Energy Edition!
In this series students talk with professionals from the energy and space sectors and discover the exciting world of STEM - science, technology, engineering, mathematics.
Click on your favourite podcast platform icon to listen.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
Learn more about Space Into Energy project.
Our Maths Into Series contains three different events:
Maths into the Energy Mix | Maths into Wind | Maths into Hydrogen.
All of these events each give S3 pupils in the North East of Scotland the chance to test and develop their skills at applying maths and the practical knowledge learnt on the day, to power a fictional village in Aberdeenshire.
All events have been developed with consultation with teaching staff and industry, making sure the participants get an experience that builds upon their existing knowledge and gives them insight into what to expect in the workplace.
These events are also designed with Meta skills in mind; these are identified by Skills Development Scotland as being essential skills in creating adaptive learners and increased chances of success in the context of the future of a young person. These skills are inherently part of STEM activities, and throughout educational settings there is a renewed focus on supporting young people to identify these qualities within themselves.
The main skills focussed on with these events are teamwork, problem solving, creativity and communication. Additional skills associated with social intelligence, innovation and self-management are developed when young people work through project-based learning opportunities such as these.
The 2024-2025 academic year has been a huge success for our Maths Into Series, and we look forward to planning the next round of events for the 2025-2026 academic year soon.
Make sure to sign up to our mailing list to find out when these events are open to nominations for your school!
If anyone would like to discuss future sponsorship of these events, or if you have any queries, please contact Dr Yashka Smith; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This series is supported by Bluewater Private Equity and is part of our Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street project.
For this series, our podcast host Arushi Rastogi talks with a Net Zero Consultant Dr Gillian White, an Urban Designer Dr Quazi Zaman, a consultant psychiatrist Dr Olga Runcie and transport and sustainability researcher Dr Kate Pangbourne about how bringing energy, architecture, technology and nature together we can create a high street of the future that employs innovative technologies and mechanisms in the drive towards net-zero.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
About TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street Competition
The Blueprint Challenge invites S3-S4 pupils from across Aberdeen City to reimagine their local high streets as vibrant, sustainable spaces where energy, nature, and community come together. By fusing innovative technologies with environmental awareness, pupils will explore how to create net-zero, nature-positive urban spaces that meet the needs of modern life.
In designing their Future High Street, pupils will consider key themes, including:
Students will research inspirational examples of high streets and explore how STEM-based solutions could be applied to their own communities. They can focus on specific areas such as Rosemount, Torry, or take on the broader challenge of redesigning Union Street. This is a digital project with the exeption of the showcase, where students will showcase their designs to a panel of judges at a local venue in Aberdeen.
Support & Resources
To help bring their ideas to life, pupils will be supported by the TechFest team alongside experts from academia and industry. Supporting resources will be sent to registered schools upon project launch.
Creativity Meets Innovation
Pupils are encouraged to present their designs in any format they choose—this might include:
Project timeline
Teams to register by Friday, 19 September 2025 (registered teams will receive aceess to the Student Handbook)
Design submission: 30, January 2026
Project showcase & prize giving: Tuesday, 17th February, 2026
2023 competition winners
1st place: Las Chicas team from Oldmachar Academy, Aberdeen
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TechFest would like to extend our thanks to Bluewater Private Equity Firm for their invaluable support in bringing the Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street to life.
For any queries related to this project, please contact Gabija Blazyte at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
