STEAM into ACTION
What is STEAM into ACTION?
This ambitious schools-based project connects young people with artists and local manufacturers to explore how science, technology, engineering, arts and maths come together in everyday life. By working on hands-on design challenges and creative problem-solving, students experience STEAM not as subjects, but as something they can do, shape and be part of.
Through collaboration between schools, businesses and Derbyshire Makes, the project creates opportunities for young people to develop practical skills, build confidence and discover new pathways into creative and technical careers. It bridges the gap between classroom learning and industry, showing how ideas can become real products, processes and possibilities.
Rooted in Derbyshire’s rich heritage of innovation and manufacturing, STEAM into ACTION is about inspiring the next generation of makers, thinkers and doers. It supports young people to see themselves in the future of making – whether as designers, engineers, creatives or inventors – and to understand the role creativity plays in shaping the world around them.
The project is led by Derbyshire County Council in partnership with Arts Derbyshire.
The Beginning of the STEAM Journey
The pilot project was delivered January – March 2026 and involved 5 schools; Glossopdale and Belper Secondary schools, Spire and Cavendish Junior schools and Belmont Primary School.
Artist and maker Matt Pang delivered the creative inspiration for the project, which included a performance of his show 'Thingimabob' and complimentary 'Chain Reaction' workshop in the five schools. Arts and cultural consultant Clare Limb was the project lead. Together they worked with a range of industry and education experts to design and develop the innovation challenge for Year 2 of the project. The outcome of the pilot project was showcased at the Advanced Manufacturing Event at Masson Mill on 16th April.
Want to know more? Read project lead Clare Limb's blog, Derbyshire Makes Our Future, reflecting on the pilot project, the creative journey and the ideas that shaped STEAM into ACTION.
For Year 2 of the project, all Derbyshire schools are able to get involved in the design and innovation challenge. Find out more below, download the information pack and register your interest.
Watch a short video by John Felix Film about the Pilot Project.
Derbyshire Makes Our Future
Could you inspire the next generation of makers, designers, engineers and innovators?
As part of the STEAM into ACTION Schools’ Challenge, Derbyshire Makes Our Future will connect participating schools with Derbyshire businesses and industry professionals working in design and manufacturing.
We're looking for people who use creativity and creative thinking in their careers to share their experience with children and young people aged 8–16 – helping them discover how creativity connects with STEM, explore the different roles and routes into industry, and see where their own ideas could take them.
By getting involved, you could help to:
Inspire future careers by showing how creative thinking is used to solve real-world challenges.
Illuminate career pathways by sharing the roles, skills and opportunities within your industry.
Raise aspirations by helping young people connect their own creativity and ideas with future possibilities.
Opportunities to get involved will include visits to participating schools during October–December 2026, with the potential for site visits, tours or further engagement in spring 2027.
If you'd like to find out more, download the Derbyshire Makes Our Future Information Pack. It includes everything you need to know about the opportunity, why your involvement matters, what taking part could look like and the project timeline.
Expression of Interest Form
If you work in design or manufacturing in Derbyshire and would like to inspire the next generation, we'd love to hear from you.
Complete the Expression of Interest form by clicking on the red box below and we'll be in touch to help your school get the challenge underway.
