It’s a place where the story of Britain’s automotive industry comes to life. Walking through the Museum, you’re immersed in a world of vehicles that shaped modern motoring, where icons that once hung on bedroom walls sit alongside rare prototypes and one-of-a-kind machines. But it’s about far more than the cars themselves. Every carefully curated display celebrates the people, innovation and engineering behind them, sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation of designers, engineers, technicians and craftspeople who will shape the industry’s future.
Last year, we had the privilege of partnering with the British Motor Museum’s Learning Team to support its Summer STEM Learning Week. Through a series of engaging activities, secondary school and homeschooled students discovered the breadth of careers available across the automotive sector, helping them see how their own interests and skills could lead to exciting futures within the industry.
The impact of the initiative was clear. In 2025, the Museum and its Learning Team received the prestigious ‘Museums & Collections’ Award at the Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards, recognising the outstanding success of STEM Learning Week and the dedication of everyone involved. Having seen first-hand the difference it made, we were delighted to build on that success and support this year’s event.
Working alongside Claire Broader and the wider Learning Team, StarterMotor helped bring authentic industry voices into the classroom by connecting students with young professionals already building careers across the sector. One of the biggest additions for 2026 was the introduction of panel discussions, creating space for open and honest conversations between students and those working in the industry today.
We were delighted to introduce Ethan Blake-Jones of Paddock Speedshop and Ben Crosby of the Vintage Sports Car Club to take part. I was also fortunate to join one of the panels, speaking with a highly engaged group of girls eager to learn more about the opportunities the automotive world has to offer. These sessions quickly became a highlight of the week, giving students the chance to ask questions, hear personal experiences and gain practical advice from people forging successful careers across the industry.
This year’s STEM Learning Week also expanded in both scale and reach. What began as a three-day event last year became a four-day experience designed to inspire curiosity and ignite ambition. Each day was carefully tailored for different audiences, including girls-only sessions, boys-only groups, mixed cohorts, as well as dedicated Home Educator and SEND sessions. This thoughtful approach reflected the Museum’s commitment to making high-quality automotive learning accessible, engaging and inclusive for every young person.
The activities themselves showcased the remarkable diversity of careers within automotive and STEM. Students explored the Museum through guided tours, took part in hands-on workshops with partners including Playground Games, celebrating the launch of Forza Horizon 6 and its accompanying in-Museum exhibition, attended a careers fair within which StarterMotor had a stand, and listened to inspiring keynote speakers from across the industry. Together, these experiences demonstrated just how many exciting pathways exist within this dynamic sector.
Across the four days, more than 200 students took part, each leaving with new knowledge, fresh inspiration and a clearer understanding of where a future in automotive could take them.
As the automotive sector continues to evolve, inspiring the next generation has never been more important. Partnerships like this demonstrate what’s possible when heritage, education and industry come together with a shared purpose. We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in another outstanding STEM Learning Week and congratulate Claire and the entire British Motor Museum team on delivering such an inspiring and impactful event.
Looking ahead, we’re not only excited to support next year’s STEM Learning Week, but also to deepen our partnership with the British Motor Museum through the development of a Memorandum of Understanding. Together, we’ll explore how StarterMotor can help the Museum grow its learning programmes, making even greater use of its outstanding facilities, expertise and collection to inspire the next generation. We’re excited about what the future holds.