An eight-year-old app developer, a researcher tackling counterfeit medicines and educators opening routes into technology careers were among the winners at the Overt stem awards in Milton Keynes.
More than 50 finalists gathered at Unity Place on 3 November for the 2026 awards, which recognised achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor.
The Bedford College Group secured two awards. Nathan Luccarini won Future Force in STEM in the further and higher education category for developing an esports qualification and creating digital pathways for learners.
His colleague Duncan Laughton received the STEM Career Reboot award for his transition from engineering into teaching and his work helping learners build confidence in mathematics.
At the University of Buckingham, Jean D’Amour Kwizera won the AI Impact award for developing a system that uses smartphone images to help identify counterfeit medicines. The technology applies computer vision, object detection and machine learning to the problem.
The youngest finalist, eight-year-old Abigail Watt, won the school-age Future Force in STEM award. She has developed three AI applications: a 3D Explorer Map, an Art App and Page Pals, an online book community designed for children.
Abigail has also taught all 30 of her classmates how to use AI creatively.
Other winners included Dr Gurpreet Singh of Buckinghamshire New University, whose research examines sustainability in the fashion industry and spans 13 countries.
STEM On Track, delivered by Espire Education, received both the STEM Enrichment Initiative award and the overall STEM Champion title. Its programme uses go-kart design and racing to teach engineering, physics and teamwork, reaching more than 2,400 students across over 140 school teams. Its industry links include BWT Alpine F1 Team.
Atlassian Williams F1 Team was recognised for outreach work involving more than 13,000 young people across over 200 schools through engineering and aerodynamics workshops.
The awards also recognised efforts to improve access to STEM careers. Natalie Desty, founder of STEM Returners, won Women in STEM Champion, while the organisation received the DEI in STEM and Mentoring Excellence in STEM awards.
STEM Returners has supported more than 630 professionals returning to the sector, with 96 per cent securing permanent roles.
Pearl Oguchi received the Lifetime Impact in STEM award for her 22-year contribution to technology and for founding the Black Women in Tech community, which has more than 50,000 members.
Dr Simon FitzGerald of HORIBA UK won STEM Ambassador for supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds. His work includes helping 14 students pursue STEM degrees through HORIBA Foundation UK scholarships.
The event was supported by Initivo and Thorne Project Solutions. TXM Group and Sustain Recruit funded tickets for people from underrepresented groups.
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.”
The organisation is now seeking businesses and partners to support its planned Overt stem Summit. It intends to bring together employers, universities, educators, government, investors and communities to address skills gaps, support SMEs and develop partnerships.
Meena said: “Our ambition is much bigger than an awards evening. We want to build a stronger, more connected STEM ecosystem across the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor.”
Organisations interested in sponsorship, speaking, exhibiting or contributing expertise can contact [email protected].
