Dudgeon Brings STEMM Inspiration to Norfolk’s Young People
We were proud to once again attend the Royal Norfolk Show. This annual landmark event celebrates not just our region’s agricultural heritage, but explores its future, too. A particular highlight this year was the STEMM Village, an inspiring showcase of innovation, where young people could explore cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine, and begin to imagine their place in the industries shaping Norfolk’s tomorrow.
This year’s STEMM Village was made possible thanks to funding from the Dudgeon Community Fund, established by energy company Equinor in connection with the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm. The Fund, managed by Norfolk Community Foundation, has invested nearly £1 million in local projects over the past decade – and this year’s support enabled thousands of young people to experience first-hand the power of innovation.
Gemma and Megan from our Programmes team were delighted to tour the STEMM Village, hosted by the Food and Farming Discovery Trust, sister charity of Show organisers the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
Gemma said:
“We’re so pleased the Dudgeon Community Fund could support such an engaging and far-reaching initiative. Giving Norfolk young people access to real-world career inspiration, especially in emerging fields like green energy and agri-tech, helps them to see what’s possible. I was particularly impressed by the level of enthusiasm shown by the STEM ambassadors from Norfolk secondary schools and colleges, who were keen to share their knowledge and passion with younger students.”
Over 14,000 education tickets were made available for the Show this year, and more than 50 interactive exhibits from academia, industry and the public sector were there to spark curiosity and conversations about the future. Young visitors experienced everything from virtual reality simulations atop a wind turbine to soil and DNA analysis for sustainable farming. These hands-on experiences brought to life the exciting opportunities across sectors like offshore wind, bioscience, AI, and beyond.
Megan added:
“The Dudgeon panel were particularly enthusiastic about funding this activity because of the scale of its reach. Inspiring young minds through excitement and engagement is no small task, and events like this, with fun practical activities for young people to try out, are crucial in achieving that.”
The pair also learnt more about hackathons and artificial intelligence, and the broad scope of local training available at local educators such as Easton College. They also visited the Equinor tent, where they got a fascinating look into the world of offshore wind. They also learnt about the surprising range of roles involved in running a wind farm, including positions in communications, logistics and support – a powerful reminder of the diverse opportunities available within Norfolk’s growing clean energy sector.
As Norfolk and the wider East of England embrace a low-carbon future, investing in the next generation of skilled workers is more important than ever. Thanks to Equinor’s commitment to community impact, thousands of young people left the Royal Norfolk Show with fresh ideas, new ambitions, and a clearer view of where they might go next.
