Game on! Chelmsford event showcases careers in gaming

Following the successful pilot in October 2025, a special careers event at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in April 2026 showcases career opportunities in video gaming.

Schoolchildren from across Essex have come together to explore careers in the games industry at an event organised by CSES and hosted by ARU. The event aimed to encourage youngsters to explore the careers behind best-selling video games, from coding and sound design to writing, voiceover work and graphic design.

A short video of the event is available on the Essex County Council YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0le1TWzjM.

Read more: Game On! 2.0

Peter Foreman, Former Honorary Treasurer, June 1937 to March 2026

Here we commemorate Peter Foreman, who peacefully passed away on 31^st March 2026. Just two hours before he drew his last breath, he and son Chris were sharing recollections. He is remembered as a larger­-than-life character, always forthright, almost always happy, and with an infectious laugh.

Until a few years’ ago, Peter was a long-standing and very active member of the Society. He was Honorary Treasurer for more than 20 years (all predating our online banking), handing over that baton in 2013, and was active on Council before and after.

Read more: Obituary: Peter Foreman (1937-2026)

Help CSES deliver a fun Primary School STEM Day in Chelmsford

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at an upcoming STEM Day hosted at Baddow Hall Junior School (Chelmsford) on Tuesday 30th June 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (possibly earlier finish). This is the second of two STEM days this month!

We will be bringing a selection of fun, hands-on activities – as seen at the highly popular Chelmsford Science Festival Family Weekend – to the school for a cohort of 60 primary pupils. Could you spare a school day or half-day to help us out? Everything is prepared and a full briefing will be provided, you just need to turn up.

What's provided:

• Food and drinks throughout the day.
• All resources and materials needed for the sessions.

Requirements:

• Must be (or be willing to become) a registered STEM Ambassador – this is FREE with no specific commitment.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to inspire young minds in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Join us for a rewarding day of engagement and outreach!

Please contact David Humber if you are interested or would like to find out more.

Help CSES deliver a fun Primary School STEM Day in Halstead

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at an upcoming STEM Day hosted at Richard De Clare Community Academy (Halstead) on Thursday 4th June 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (possibly earlier finish). This is the first of two STEM days this month!

We will be bringing a selection of fun, hands-on activities – as seen at the highly popular Chelmsford Science Festival Family Weekend – to the school for a cohort of 100+ year 4-6 pupils. Could you spare a school day or half-day to help us out? Everything is prepared and a full briefing will be provided, you just need to turn up.

What's provided:

• Food and drinks throughout the day.
• All resources and materials needed for the sessions.

Requirements:

• Must be (or be willing to become) a registered STEM Ambassador – this is FREE with no specific commitment.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to inspire young minds in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Join us for a rewarding day of engagement and outreach!

Please contact David Humber if you are interested or would like to find out more.

For British Science Week (6-15 March 2026), Ed Bye and Nigel Stephens represented CSES at The Boswells School Science Fair. With exhibitors from other local organisations, they worked with Year 9 and Year 7 students on the school’s chosen theme of "Curiosity".

Activities and Displays

A set of hands‑on exhibits encouraged students to explore science and engineering through play, questioning, and practical investigation.

• A robotic comfort cat designed for dementia patients drew steady attention and opened discussions about assistive technology.
• LED eyelashes on a model head showed one way how electronics are being used in the fashion and beauty industries.
• A box of “electronic poo” – a humorous container filled with dead batteries – prompted conversations about recycling, waste management, and battery safety.
• An artificial‑urine battery powering an LED demonstrated how energy can be recovered from a natural by‑product that is normally flushed away. The exhibit showed how this waste stream can generate a small amount of electricity, reducing the cost on sanitation systems by turning part of that waste into a useful output.
• Hand dynamometers allowed students to test and compare their grip strength.
• Ring and peg puzzles challenged problem‑solving skills and persistence.

Read more: Boswells School Science Fair 2026

We are seeking judges for the 2026 CSES Schools' Technology Exhibition (TEXPO).

The exhibition gives primary and secondary school students the opportunity to present their STEM projects to the CSES judges, with the potential of winning an award for themselves and/or their school. As ever, the whole ethos of the competition is to promote STEM subjects and careers to the students and to celebrate their achievements. Further information can be found on this page.

This year the event is to be held on Friday 26 June at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Chelmsford from 09:00 until 15:00 approx.

We are always interested in recruiting new judges, so if you have any link to STEM and would be interested, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Read more: Calling Judges for TEXPO 2026

What objects tell your Chelmsford story?

SPARK! Young Cultural Changemakers are working with the Museum of Chelmsford to help shape the future of the Museum's collection, and are asking everyone one question to help shape its collections policy into the next 50 years:

"If the Museum of Chelmsford could collect just ONE object to show what your life in Chelmsford is like today, what would it be?"

Together, we are Collecting Our Future.

Share your story: https://forms.gle/inHHkEReU4VJNEhG8

*SPARK! is a youth movement of 13-25-year-olds, using art and creativity to make Chelmsford an even more fun and inspiring place to live. Find more about SPARK!’s inclusive Collecting Our Future, part of their Young Cultural Changemakers Programme, 2025-27.

CSES is proud to work with SPARK! on promoting Chelmsford's globally significant culture of science and innovation.

Are you looking for a flexible, low-commitment way to get more involved? The role of CSES Treasurer could be for you. We are currently looking for an Assistant Treasurer who could move into the formal Treasurer role when ready.

You would be able to get involved in activities such as the Science Festival, TEXPO, Saturday Club and events in schools. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking for flexibility, with options for career and profile development.

Read more: Vacancy for Treasurer