Ambassadors for STEM inspiration
The Big Bang Competition top winners have shared their inspiration and motivation for entering the UK’s top STEM competition for young people. The 3 winners were chosen from hundreds of young people as 2025’s Young Engineer, Young Scientist and Young Technologist of the Year, supported by Siemens.
Aaron, Alice and Muhammad were crowned as this year’s champions at an awards ceremony at The Big Bang Fair on 17 June in Birmingham. They were commended by a panel of judges not only for their impressive projects, but also their ability to inspire other young people with science, engineering and technology.
Aaron Lord from Greenhead College in Yorkshire, UK Young Engineer of the Year, was inspired to support those taking regular medication, particularly people with dementia and memory difficulties. Aaron created an automatic pill dispenser ‘Autopill’.
The ‘Autopill’ allows users to insert their medication for the week. A pulsing light and a bleeping noise signals when the pills are ready to take. Aaron shared his excitement for using engineering to create real-world products:
“The Big Bang Competition was a brilliant opportunity to really take something that I thought was a good idea, into something tangible, which other people could see.”
Muhammad Shah, from Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet was crowned UK Young Technologist of the Year, an award supported by Siemens. Muhammad's project ‘Icarus’ was inspired by his love of the outdoors and trekking. He created an alternative telecommunications system for low-cost and effective emergency communications in remote areas.
“Coming from Kashmir, I really wanted to give something back to my community. I remember hearing news about different accidents of people trekking. I wanted to find a solution to help find ways to prevent those disasters from happening.”
I really wanted to give something back to my community. I remember hearing news about different accidents of people trekking. I wanted to find a solution to help find ways to prevent those disasters from happening.
— Muhammad Shah, Big Bang UK Young Technologist of the Year, supported by Siemens
Alice Morrish from Invicta Grammar School in Kent, UK Young Scientist of the Year, showcased her STEM skills with her project ‘Quantum Karate’. Alice’s project was born out of the love of science and wanting to share the real-world applications of the subject. To do this, she combined her 2 favourite things – physics and karate. Quantum Karate explored the physics behind karate to provide a better understanding of the sport.
"A lot of my friends talk about science, and they ask, when am I going to use this in real life? … and I wanted to prove that it is applicable, and there isn't a disconnect between real life and science."
The Big Bang Competition will return this autumn! The Competition will be open to young people aged 11 to 18 to bring their ideas to life with STEM. Sign up to the EUK Education newsletter to be the first to hear when entries are open.
A lot of my friends talk about science, and they ask, when am I going to use this in real life? … and I wanted to prove that it is applicable, and there isn't a disconnect between real life and science.
— Alice Morrish, Big Bang UK Young Scientist of the Year
