Showcasing STEM projects
Top young STEM innovators and finalists from The Big Bang Competition 2025 were invited to Westminster as part of our Big Bang at Parliament event. They met with MPs and Peers and showcased their impressive projects.
20 students from 8 schools across the country joined the event which celebrates young people's creativity and innovation in STEM. They were joined by parliamentarians, guests from the engineering and technology community. Siemens supported the event, alongside their continued support of the technology stream of The Big Bang Competition.
Creating connections for young people
Vidyashri Karwa from Wycombe High School displayed her project 'An AI prototype to help with waste management across the globe'. She said, "It's been absolutely surreal. Here I am in Parliament today! I've met so many people that share similar interests to me and are interested in my project. I've really increased my passion for engineering."
Timi Banjo, from Queen Elizabeth School in Barnet, showcased his project ‘Multi-Table’, which was awarded runner-up in the senior engineering category. Timi commented, “It’s been an amazing experience talking to loads of parliamentarians and people from engineering companies – hearing about their innovations and telling them about mine.”
Grace Palmer, a T Level student from WMG Academy of Engineering in Solihull, awarded the senior engineering winner in The Big Bang Competition 2025, presented her project ‘Thrive Transfer Aid'. Inspired by the challenges faced by her young cousin, Grace wanted to create a product to improve the lives of disabled children and their families.
Grace gave an inspiring speech, saying, “Completing this project taught me that real growth happens when you challenge yourself with something unfamiliar. Entering The Big Bang Competition pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and develop both soft and hard skills that I know will support me in the future.”
She continued, “But the most important lesson I learned was about engineering itself: it often begins with empathy. When we understand the challenges faced by others, we can create products that truly change lives.”
Inspiring speeches and ideas for the future
Grace spoke alongside 2 prominent parliamentarians – Toby Perkins MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Select Committee, and Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee.
EngineeringUK's Chief Executive, Dr Hilary Leevers said, “I would like to draw everyone’s attention to the nature of the projects that are here. You’ll see how incredibly purposeful and caring they all are – targeted at improving physical and mental health, environmental sustainability, and safety and accessibility. The fact that the students made these choices makes me feel so optimistic for the future, as much as the actual skills that we are seeing.”
Young talent inspired parliamentarians
Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield, said, “Huge congratulations to all The Big Bang Competition entrants who are here today. I hope that passion for STEM which has been unleashed through this project will stay with you going forwards in your careers.”
“We’ve got a really amazing array of different ideas on display – they cover such a range which demonstrate the breath of directions in which STEM careers can now take you.”
Other attendees included Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP (Environment Secretary), Lucy Rigby MP (Economic Secretary to the Treasury), and Saqib Bhatti (Shadow Education Minister). In total there were 17 parliamentarians in attendance, including 3 ministers/shadow ministers. Six had project teams from their constituencies.
The Big Bang Competition is open for entries, submit by 4 March 2026.
It's been absolutely surreal. I've met so many people that share similar interests to me and are interested in my project. I've really increased my passion for engineering.
— Vidyashri Karwa, Wycombe High School
