In this episode, we spotlight the remarkable work of the Lightyear Foundation, the winner of the Engineering Matters Awards 2025 Gold Champion for Diversity and Inclusion. The foundation is the only UK charity dedicated to engaging disabled and neurodivergent young people with STEM.
Chief Executive Jeff Banks and Senior Programme Manager Emma Zeale explain how the charity uses immersive sensory science, STEM workplace trips, and specially designed Lightyear Labs to ignite curiosity and boost confidence in children who are often excluded from traditional STEM education. With 75% of their staff and trustees identifying as disabled or neurodivergent, Lightyear leads by example and is working to ensure all young people see a place for themselves in STEM.

We also hear from Hannah Ford Tomlinson, who developed the Engineering Lightyear Lab. Drawing on her background in science communication and personal experience as an autistic person, she shares how each lab session is tailored for accessibility. The labs promote agency and exploration, allowing students to take control of their learning. A standout moment includes an impromptu adaptation when wet play-doh caused sensory issues for some students, highlighting the importance of flexibility and co-creation in the classroom.

Lightyear’s impact doesn’t stop at the lab door. Through initiatives like the F1 Engineering Project, youth forums, and even plans for apprentice trusteeships, the foundation is building pathways into the broader STEM ecosystem. Students are not only learning and experimenting, but shaping how STEM outreach is designed and delivered. By listening to young people’s voices and ensuring they have authentic leadership roles, Lightyear Foundation is creating a future where disability is not a barrier to participation, but a vital perspective in the world of science and engineering.

Guests

Jeff Banks, Chief Executive, Lightyear Foundation

Emma Zeale, Senior Programme Manager, Lightyear Foundation

Hannah Ford Tomlinson, Communities and Partnerships Program Manager, Lightyear Foundation

Links

Lightyear Foundation

The post #337 Breaking Barriers to STEM with Lightyear Foundation – Engineering Matters Awards winners episode first appeared on Engineering Matters.