Rushden Academy has won a regional STEM award for an environmental programme that combines tree planting, community food growing and student leadership.
The school’s Team Rushden Team Earth initiative received the Education for Sustainable STEM Futures award at the Overt stem awards 2026.
Its work includes planting more than 4,000 trees, developing a forest school and tackling plastic waste through practical projects. Students also receive mentoring from specialists to support their leadership of environmental activities.
The academy was among the winners recognised at Unity Place in Milton Keynes on 3 November, when more than 50 finalists gathered for the awards.
The event celebrated individuals, organisations and partnerships working across science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Eight-year-old Abigail Watt, pictured, was the youngest finalist and won the school-age Future Force in STEM award after developing three AI applications.
Her projects include a 3D Explorer Map, an Art App and Page Pals, an online book community designed for children. She has also taught all 30 of her classmates how to use AI creatively.
Education and routes into employment featured prominently among the other winning projects.
STEM On Track, delivered by Espire Education, won the STEM Enrichment Initiative award and the overall STEM Champion title. The programme introduces students to engineering, physics and teamwork through go-kart design and racing.
It has involved more than 2,400 students across over 140 school teams, with industry links including BWT Alpine F1 Team.
The employer–education partnership award went to University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education and FourthRev for their Data Science with Machine Learning and AI Career Accelerator. The programme has supported more than 500 learners, 35 per cent of whom are women.
Natalie Desty, founder of STEM Returners, won Women in STEM Champion. Her organisation also received awards for diversity, equity and inclusion, and mentoring.
Its work has supported more than 630 professionals returning to STEM careers, with 96 per cent securing permanent roles.
Meena Chander, founder and chief executive of Events Together and founder of Overt stem, said: “Overt stem is about recognising people who might otherwise be overlooked, connecting organisations that can make a difference and creating opportunities for everyone to contribute to the future of STEM.”
Initivo and Thorne Project Solutions supported the awards, while TXM Group and Sustain Recruit sponsored tickets for people from underrepresented groups.
Following the ceremony, Overt stem is seeking partners for a planned summit bringing together businesses, education providers, investors, government and communities.
The proposed event will focus on skills gaps, support for SMEs and emerging talent, and opportunities for collaboration between employers and educators.
Organisations can contribute through sponsorship, speaking, exhibiting or providing expertise and practical support. Enquiries can be sent to meena@events-together.co.uk.
