06/10/2026
Pupils Challenged To Shape Northern Ireland’s 2050 Future
Matrix NI's 'Future Focus' Schools Challenge has opened for registration, inviting pupils across Northern Ireland to imagine life in 2050 and propose innovative solutions to tomorrow's real-world problems.
Run in partnership with the Northern Ireland Science Festival (NISF) and Nerve Centre, the competition is open to Key Stage 2 (Years 5–7) and Key Stage 3 (Years 8–10). Teams are asked to pinpoint a challenge people might face in 2050, devise a creative fix and present their concept in a two-minute video.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: "I welcome this exciting challenge, which will encourage young people to think creatively about the future and the world they want to see in 2050.
"Developing skills in STEM, innovation and problem-solving can open up exciting opportunities for young people and will be vital to our future economy. I look forward to seeing the ideas pupils develop and how they would use innovation to tackle the challenges of the future."
Entries will be assessed on creativity and innovation, problem-solving, communication and presentation, and teamwork.
Schools have until Friday 6 November to submit their entries. Shortlisted teams will be invited to a Showcase and Awards Event at Nerve Centre, Derry~Londonderry, on Thursday 26 November.
Robert Hill, Chair of Matrix NI, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with the NI Science Festival and Nerve Centre on this initiative. The Matrix NI 'Future Focus' Schools Challenge gives young people the chance to think boldly about the future and develop creative solutions to the challenges we may face. We can't wait to see the ideas coming through."
Sarah Jones, Director of the NI Science Festival, said: "Encouraging young people to engage with STEM and innovation from an early age is central to everything we do at NISF. This challenge is a great opportunity for pupils to use their creativity, explore new ideas and show how science and innovation can help address the challenges of the future."
Rachel McDermott, Education Manager at Nerve Centre, said: "We're thrilled to be involved in the Matrix 'Future Focus' Schools Challenge and to host the Showcase and Awards Event. This challenge is a wonderful platform for pupils to bring their ideas to life and build skills they'll use in the workplace one day."
A webinar on 7 October will guide schools on how to apply. Further details are available on the Future Focus Schools' Challenge website.
Run in partnership with the Northern Ireland Science Festival (NISF) and Nerve Centre, the competition is open to Key Stage 2 (Years 5–7) and Key Stage 3 (Years 8–10). Teams are asked to pinpoint a challenge people might face in 2050, devise a creative fix and present their concept in a two-minute video.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: "I welcome this exciting challenge, which will encourage young people to think creatively about the future and the world they want to see in 2050.
"Developing skills in STEM, innovation and problem-solving can open up exciting opportunities for young people and will be vital to our future economy. I look forward to seeing the ideas pupils develop and how they would use innovation to tackle the challenges of the future."
Entries will be assessed on creativity and innovation, problem-solving, communication and presentation, and teamwork.
Robert Hill, Chair of Matrix NI, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with the NI Science Festival and Nerve Centre on this initiative. The Matrix NI 'Future Focus' Schools Challenge gives young people the chance to think boldly about the future and develop creative solutions to the challenges we may face. We can't wait to see the ideas coming through."
Sarah Jones, Director of the NI Science Festival, said: "Encouraging young people to engage with STEM and innovation from an early age is central to everything we do at NISF. This challenge is a great opportunity for pupils to use their creativity, explore new ideas and show how science and innovation can help address the challenges of the future."
Rachel McDermott, Education Manager at Nerve Centre, said: "We're thrilled to be involved in the Matrix 'Future Focus' Schools Challenge and to host the Showcase and Awards Event. This challenge is a wonderful platform for pupils to bring their ideas to life and build skills they'll use in the workplace one day."
A webinar on 7 October will guide schools on how to apply. Further details are available on the Future Focus Schools' Challenge website.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with outbreaks of rain across southern and eastern counties. Drier, brighter conditions across the northwest spread to all parts through the morning to leave the afternoon largely dry with sunny spells. Mainly light winds. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Risk of some rain in the far southeast this evening, otherwise most places dry with long clear spells overnight, just a few showers for western counties and the north coast. Minimum temperature 3 °C.