The 2026 NAE Regional STEAM Festival, hosted at BISS, was an exciting celebration of creativity, innovation and collaboration, bringing together students from across the Nord Anglia Education region to tackle one big question: how can humans survive and thrive on Mars?
The event welcomed students and staff from ten Nord Anglia schools across the region. Working in mixed-school teams, the students had the opportunity to meet new people, share ideas, and collaborate with peers from different cultures and backgrounds whilst developing valuable teamwork and communication skills.
Over the two-day festival, the students explored what life on Mars could look like after Earth had become uninhabitable. Through hands-on workshops, design challenges and presentations, they investigated how humans could create sustainable habitats, transport systems, food sources and new ways of living on the planet.
The festival was also a brilliant example of the Learner Ambitions in action. The students showed curiosity as they explored real-world scientific concepts and future-focused challenges. Creativity was evident in the imaginative solutions and designs produced throughout the event, with students combining science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics in innovative ways.
The students also demonstrated strong collaboration and critical thinking skills as they worked through problems, tested ideas and refined their designs. Their commitment and resilience were clear throughout the festival, particularly when adapting their ideas and preparing final presentations. Many teams also showed compassion by thinking carefully about how communities on Mars could live sustainably, safely and inclusively.
The event highlighted the power of STEAM learning to connect classroom knowledge with meaningful global challenges. It was inspiring to see the students thinking beyond today’s world and applying their skills in such thoughtful and imaginative ways.
Open Days
Register for our Open Day!
