Year 9 students from across the county are invited to take part in this year’s engineering challenge
The Lincolnshire Institute of Technology’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Challenge has returned for 2026 and applications are now open for local schools to take part.
The challenge, which will be hosted at the Lincolnshire Showground on Thursday 9 July, returns for its fourth year - this time with a particular focus on engineering.
Teams of year 9 students will be required to design and build a towed vehicle or trailer that is capable of traversing extremely rough terrain whilst keeping its load level, steady and stable. Known as ‘Smooth ‘n’ Steady’, the challenge is for students’ trailers to carry a bucket filled with seven litres of water across a number of obstacles including a sand pit, gravel, a hump back bridge and stairs.
Points will be awarded for the quantity of water that remains in the bucket at the end of the course. Additional points will be awarded for ingenuity, build quality, design aesthetics, and a smooth and speedy journey.
Mick Lochran, Director of the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology, said:
“Our annual STEM Challenge is back for 2026 and we’re really looking forward to seeing what fantastic ideas the students of Lincolnshire come up with this year.
“We’re keen to encourage young people to consider a career in STEM industries, including engineering, so the challenge is a great way to give them an insight into what a career in engineering could look like, and the technical and creative skills it requires.
“We’re delivering the challenge in collaboration with Quickline Communications, so it will also give students the opportunity to engage with a local employer and find out what it’s really like to work in a STEM industry in Lincolnshire.
“We look forward to receiving lots of applications and seeing how students use the power of teamwork to come up with some ingenious ideas to get their trailers from A to B.”
The STEM Challenge focuses on raising aspirations and encouraging young people to consider higher education and career opportunities within STEM industries.
The challenge will be delivered in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company, Lincolnshire County Council, STEM Learning and Quickline Communications.
Applications are now open and those interested can email mlochran@lincoln.ac.uk to request an application form. Application forms must be submitted by 28 February 2026.
To find out more about the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology, visit www.liot.ac.uk.