Children from across the county have been showing off their skills in science, technology, engineering and maths with the Big STEM Challenge.

The final, hosted on Friday, July 8 at Sandwich’s Discovery Park, saw finalists present their project to a panel of judges.

Organised by the KM Charity Team, the aim of the challenge is to inject some creativity into four of the more academic subjects in the hopes students will become more engaged.

The five finalists of this year’s challenge were asked to present their projects with a Dragon’s Den-style grilling from the judges.

The overall winners of the Big STEM Challenge were Hadyn Smith and Eva May from Towers School and Sixth Form Centre in Ashford with their sustainable and eco-friendly large transport vehicles.

They received £300 prize money and the chance to experience a thrilling flight simulator from BAE Systems.

This year, the KM Charity team mixed things up with the introduction of the Little STEM Challenge, specifically designed for primary school children.

There were five finalists for the Little STEM Challenge. Each finalist presented their project in a science fair environment with the judges visiting each of the stands, giving children the opportunity to expand on their work.

The overall winners in this category were Bertie Forsyth, Ella Waller, Daniel South and Dexter Harris, Year 5 pupils from the Eco Science Club at Deal Parochial CofE Primary School.

The children won the competition with their bioplastic bag made from gelatine, and received £300 for their school.

“We all know that encouraging children to take up STEM subjects is essential for all of our futures and so initiatives like this are so important,” says KM Charity Team CEO Mike Ward.

“The idea is not to make it a chore; children, young people and schools are doing some great stuff all the time and we just want to give them a platform to showcase this.”

“Far too often, school’s social media celebrates the arts and sport. The Big and Little STEM Challenge gives our scientists of the future a chance to shine as well!”

The Big STEM Challenge finalists were:

Tishe Zubair from Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone

Amelie Masih from Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone

Haydn Smith and Eva-May Stone from Towers School and Sixth Form Centre, Ashford

Caitlin Richards-Spiller and Nate Connerton from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Faversham

Patama Boonsin from CATS College, Canterbury

The Little STEM Challenge finalists were:

Year 3 pupils of Deal Parochial CofE Primary School

Year 5 pupils of Deal Parochial CofE Primary School

Year 6 pupils of Deal Parochial CofE Primary School

Pupils of Sandling Primary School, Maidstone

Pupils of Chattenden Primary School, Rochester

Other prizes up for grabs in the finals included goodie bags from Discovery Park, £250 of iTunes vouchers from Global Associates, a visit to Megger, £250 cash prize from ITL and a £250 Amazon voucher from Kent Renewable.

The Big STEM Challenge is sponsored by Discovery Park, Pfizer, Kent Renewable Energy Limited, ITL - Integrated Technologies Limited, Global Associates, Megger Instruments Ltd and BAE Systems.