NST Success at Innovation Awards 2026
Pupils from across Northern Schools Trust enjoyed an unforgettable day at the University of Nottingham as they showcased their innovative ideas at the Business of Science Innovation Awards.
The exciting opportunity came following the NST Science Competition held in March, where pupils from Reception through to Year 10 developed creative projects designed to tackle real-world challenges. Shortlisted entries were then invited to the Business of Science Conference, giving students the chance to present their ideas on a bigger stage.
We are incredibly proud to announce that NST schools won in both categories, with two outstanding projects each winning £1,000 for their schools.
Primary School Category Sponsored by MAST Group
The winning project was Nightmare Be Gone from New Park Primary School, created by Year 4 pupil Noah.
His invention was designed to help prevent bad dreams and promote positive thoughts before sleep.
The thoughtful and imaginative idea impressed judges with its strong focus on children’s wellbeing and emotional support.
Our Primary School runners up included:
- Air Guardian - A pollution-detecting helicopter concept designed to fly around local areas and monitor air quality.
- Smart Bin - An intelligent recycling bin designed to detect and sort waste automatically into the correct recycling and rubbish compartments.
- Hand stabiliser - A support device designed to help elderly people experiencing weakness or arthritis in their hands, aiming to improve stability and independence in daily activities.
- Self-warming pyjamas - Innovative pyjamas designed to keep the wearer warm and comfortable during colder nights through built-in warming technology.
Secondary School Category Sponsored by University of Nottingham
The winning project was Safe Skin from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, created by Year 10 student Natasha.
The Safe Skin project was praised for addressing an important issue with sensitivity, compassion and a strong focus on supporting young people’s wellbeing.
Other shortlisted NST entries included an app that recycles old technology devices and smart glasses featuring an AI speaker to support people with visual impairment and hearing difficulties.
Student Experiences
We asked our exhibiting students how they found the experience of attending a national scientific conference for the first time. Watch the video to hear from them.
Overall, the day gave students an incredible opportunity to experience a real scientific conference and develop presentation skills.
Congratulations to all pupils and staff involved on their outstanding achievements.