Competitions
We hold a range of competitions for students throughout the year, including our flagship annual TEXPO where students from local schools showcase their work and compete for prizes, and other projects and online activities. Find out more and enter here.
TEXPO Schools' Competition: Fri 26 June 2026, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford
We are pleased to advise the date for the 2026 CSES Schools' Technology Exhibition (TEXPO).
The dates will be as follows:
- The TEXPO will take place on Friday 26 June 2026 (confirmed).
- The awards evening will take place on the evening of Thursday 9 July 2026 (TBC).
Please note that this is not the same as the provisional date (19 June) given in the call for expressions of interest. This is due to venue availability and we apologise for any difficulty this may cause.
Find out more about the competition here.
We will provide full details and open for registration in the new year.
Congratulations to everyone who won an award at the 2025 CSES TEXPO, which took place on Friday 27 June 2025 at Anglia Ruskin University.
We are very pleased to announce that the winners are as follows:
Now accepting entries for our annual STEM competition and exhibition
Welcome to the CSES Annual STEM Competition, TEXPO, a premier event that celebrates the ingenuity and creativity of students across Essex. This competition provides a unique platform for young minds to showcase their innovative projects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Why Participate?
Participating in the TEXPO offers numerous benefits:
- Exposure to Industry Professionals: Your projects will be judged by experienced scientists and engineers, providing valuable feedback and career insights.
- Skill Development: Enhance your research, presentation, and problem-solving skills through hands-on project work and public speaking.
- Networking Opportunities: Meet and interact with peers from other schools, local dignitaries, and industry leaders.
- Recognition and Awards: Compete for substantial cash prizes and accolades that can bolster your CV or university applications.
The Big Bang Competition is open for entries! Inspire students to work together, problem solve and get creative with science, engineering and technology. Celebrate your students’ inner innovator with technology prizes, supported by Siemens.
Entries will close on 26 March at 5pm!
Find out more about The Competition and how to enter online.
Entries are also open for our TEXPO 2025 Competition – further details to follow soon!
Congratulations to everyone who won an award at the 2024 CSES TEXPO, which took place on Friday 21 June 2024 at Anglia Ruskin University.
CSES Schools' TEXPO: Fri 21 June 2024, ARU Chelmsford (9am for 10am start, latest 3pm finish)
For Y5-13 | Show your project to scientists and engineers | Cash prizes | Free lunch!
Are you in a STEM club at primary or secondary school? Have you made or investigated something fantastic in technology or science lessons? Have you been doing interesting technical projects at home?
Are you a teacher who'd like to showcase your pupils' / students' work? Or are you a parent, guardian or tutor whose child has been working on an exciting project?
If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then exhibit at the annual CSES TEXPO. There is prize money to be won and we even provide lunch!
We welcome projects from all areas of science and technology. This could be something you've made, software, experiments, reports, posters, videos etc. Entrants to the competition are encouraged to submit projects that they have been working on already in class or at home, including those for coursework, meaning that no extra work is necessary. There is no need to have a 'finished product', and your project can be originally from another competition or scheme.
Show your work to our judges, who include professional scientists and engineers, and you'll be in with a chance of winning a prize!
Click here to find out more | Click here to enter your project(s)
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- TEXPO 2023 – enter now
- Now open: Big Bang and TEXPO 2023
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