There’s something quietly powerful about seeing young talent from the South Wales Valleys take centre stage on a national platform – and in this case, they didn’t just take part, they came home as champions.
A proud moment for Maesteg
A team of six pupils from Ysgol Cynwyd Sant in Maesteg has been crowned National Champions at the 2026 STEM Racing UK Primary National Finals, beating more than 60 teams from across the country in what has become the competition’s biggest year to date.
Competing under the team name Phoenix Fires, the group – Imogen, Celyn, Joseff, Loki, Magi and Anya – travelled to the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Sheffield for the finals on 24 March. After a full day of competition, presentations and judging, they secured the top spot on the podium, representing not only their school but the wider Valleys region.
For a school in Maesteg, this is more than just a trophy. It’s a statement about the talent, ambition and creativity coming through our local communities.
Engineering, Creativity and Teamwork
The STEM Racing competition challenges pupils to design, build and race miniature Formula One-style cars made from paper, powered along a 20-metre track using compressed air.
But it goes far beyond the race itself
Teams are judged across multiple disciplines, including design and engineering, research and development, branding, sponsorship and marketing. Each team must also produce a professional portfolio and create a fully realised pit display, mirroring the structure and demands of real-world motorsport teams.
It’s a remarkable introduction to STEM subjects – not just as academic disciplines, but as creative, collaborative and highly practical pursuits.
“We Didn’t Expect to Win”
For team member Celyn, the moment their name was announced is one they won’t forget: “It feels amazing to be National Champions. We didn’t expect to come first – we were so shocked when our team was announced. This has been one of the best experiences of our life, and we have learned so much from taking part in the competition. We’re better friends than ever too.”
A Record-Breaking Year for STEM Racing
This year’s competition has been the most successful yet, with a 15% increase in participation and more than 6,000 students taking part across regional events in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Only the very best teams made it through to the national finals, making Phoenix Fires’ achievement all the more impressive.
Putting the Valleys on the Map
Alongside their overall win, Phoenix Fires also took home the Portfolio Award, recognising the depth and quality of their project work.
They were joined on the podium by teams from London, but it was the Welsh side who ultimately claimed the national title – a result that puts Maesteg firmly on the UK STEM map.
For Valleys Life, stories like this matter. They remind us that innovation, creativity and ambition are not confined to big cities or major institutions. They’re being nurtured in our schools, in our communities, and in the next generation growing up right here in the Valleys.
And if this is anything to go by, the future is looking very bright indeed,
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