Meet the finalists
Creative ideas, bold thinking and real-world problem solving take centre stage as finalists for The Big Bang Competition 2026 are revealed!
Nearly 200 secondary school students from across the UK have been shortlisted as finalists from more than 800 entries. From biomimicry to AI recycling bins and floating farms, this year’s entries show how young people bring STEM learning to life.
The shortlisted projects span 5 exciting themes:
- AI, robotics and digital technology
- design for people and communities
- entertainment and hobbies
- health, medicine and wellbeing
- sustainability and environment
Finalists will now take part in a final round of judging before the winners are announced at an awards ceremony at The Big Bang Fair on 9 June 2026.
"It’s brilliant to see so many young people making the connections between their own creativity and how STEM can help solve real-world challenges. Once again, the standard of projects has been incredibly high."
— Phillip McShane, Associate Director of Engagement Projects at EUK Education
"Congratulations to all the young people who have entered The Big Bang Competition — your curiosity, creativity, and passion for discovering new possibilities are truly inspiring.”
— James Mackay, Head of STEM in the UK at Thales
"Congratulations to all the finalists in The Big Bang Competition, supported by Siemens. As always, the competition has been fierce, but the finalists should be so proud of what they have already achieved, and I look forward to meeting them to hear more about their projects.”
— Mark Wood, Social Sustainability Lead, Great Britain & Ireland, at Siemens
Discover the full list of finalist schools and their projects.