Westmill Energy at the Festival of Tomorrow: A vibrant two days of STEM discovery

This year’s Festival of Tomorrow once again proved why it remains one of the most anticipated STEM events in the region. As long‑standing supporters of the festival, we were delighted to return with our hands‑on renewable energy activities, joining thousands of visitors and an inspiring mix of exhibitors, families, home-school groups and curious individuals of all ages, eager to explore, question, and experiment.

Our renewable energy models once again proved a major draw, with children and young people quick to get stuck in and experiment with solar panels, wind turbines and hydro power. A particular highlight this year was the debut of our newly-built Archimedean screw turbine model. Its combination of elegant engineering and clear visual impact made it an instant favourite, sparking conversations not only about hydropower but also about how ancient principles continue to shape modern sustainable technologies.

Alongside the practical activities, we shared a wealth of information about WeSET’s wider work: our educational resources, our support for sustainability leadership in schools and the opportunities we offer for site visits to Westmill Wind and Solar Farm. Many teachers and community leaders expressed interest in deepening their engagement with sustainability and it was encouraging to see how strongly this aligns with the festival’s ethos of inspiring future thinkers and problem‑solvers.

As ever, the pace across both days was relentless, but in the best possible way. The constant stream of conversations, questions and hands‑on exploration made for an energising and highly productive experience, and we left feeling proud of the curiosity we helped spark and grateful for the chance to connect with so many people passionate about a cleaner, fairer energy future.

We are already looking forward to returning next year and continuing to champion renewable energy education within this vibrant community of innovators and learners!