Town Mayor Celebrates Innovation at the Mid Sussex STEM Challenge 2025
- Kelly Lewis
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 7
On Friday, 4th July 2025, the Norfolk Pavilion at the South of England Showground came alive with excitement, innovation, and youthful ingenuity as ten teams from senior schools and colleges across Mid Sussex gathered for the grand finale of the Mid Sussex STEM Challenge.
Over the past twelve months, these talented students have worked tirelessly to design, build, and refine their own drones - an ambitious project aimed at encouraging continued engagement with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. With a growing skills gap in the STEM sector, this challenge was more than a competition - it was an investment in the future of local industry and innovation.
The event drew a distinguished audience, including the Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, the High Sheriff of West Sussex, two local Members of Parliament, and Professor Hensinger, a renowned figure in the field of quantum technologies. Their presence added an inspiring tone to the day, highlighting the importance of community support in nurturing the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists.
The much-anticipated Race Challenge kicked off at 12:00 noon, where each drone team was put to the test in a series of agility and speed trials. Spectators watched with enthusiasm as drones soared, dipped, and zipped through the course—showcasing both the technical skill and creativity of the students behind them.
At 1:30 pm, the Awards Ceremony celebrated not just the winners, but all the participants whose hard work and collaboration brought this event to life. Trophies were presented in various categories, including best presentation, engineering, best race winner and overall winner.
The Mid Sussex STEM Challenge proved to be a resounding success - not just as a competition, but as a platform that highlighted the potential of young minds when given the tools and mentorship to excel. As the event concluded, it was clear that these students were not only ready to face the future but to shape it.
