Almost 2,000 Darlington pupils heading to Destination STEM Hopetown

Almost 2,000 Darlington pupils set for hands-on STEM careers event at Hopetown

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Destination STEM Hopetown returns in October, bringing almost 2,000 local children together with nearly 50 employers and education providers for two days of hands-on science, technology, engineering and maths activities.

By The Tees · 31 August 2026

Darlington school pupils gathered around a technology exhibit at the Destination STEM Hopetown event Image: Darlington Borough CouncilImage source

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Almost 2,000 young people from Darlington are preparing to get a close-up look at where a future in science, technology, engineering or maths could take them.

Destination STEM Hopetown returns to the town on 13 and 14 October, turning the railway-themed visitor attraction into two days of practical demonstrations, activities and conversations with people working across STEM industries.

The event is aimed at children aged 10 to 13. Nearly 50 exhibitors are expected, including Cummins, Teesside University, Northumbrian Water, Magnet, Martin Brower and Hitachi, alongside education providers and other regional employers.

Rather than presenting careers as something distant for pupils to think about years from now, the event gives them a chance to meet employers and try hands-on activities while they are beginning to make choices about their education and future.

Demand has already filled the available places for schools, pupils and exhibitors, according to Darlington Borough Council. The event follows the first large-scale Destination STEM gathering in the town last year.

The council says the programme is intended both to broaden young people's understanding of STEM careers and to connect local employers with the next generation of talent.

Supporters of this year's event include Cummins, Husqvarna, Willmott Dixon, the North East STEM Foundation, Darlington Building Society, Darlington College and Amazon.

: Darlington Borough Council. The original announcement and event information can be found on the council website.