Galleries
30 October 2026
Share:

Ex STEM Challenge 2026

From engineering challenges and flight simulators to an unforgettable flight aboard a Chinook helicopter, 350 cadets from across the UK came together for five days at Ex STEM Challenge.

CLICK ANY IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW LARGER

Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms interact near the open door of a military vehicle, with one soldier seated in the driver's seat smiling. A soldier in camouflage uniform and a beret sits on a towed artillery piece whilst adjusting its controls. Cadets in camouflage uniforms and berets with red-and-white plumes examine the open engine bay of a vehicle. Cadets in camouflage uniforms and berets with red and white plumes examine the engine of an open-bonnet vehicle. A cadet in camouflage uniform adjusts a piece of artillery equipment whilst an instructor watches. A group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms gathered round the back of a military lorry on a dirt field. Two army cadets in camouflage uniforms examine a piece of artillery equipment. A group of cadets in camouflage uniforms operate handheld air pumps connected to small wooden rocket launchers. A soldier in camouflage uniform and a green beret with a red hackle leans against the side of a military lorry. A soldier in camouflage uniform and a tam o’shanter cap standing in the hatch of a military vehicle with arms outstretched. A soldier in camouflage uniform speaks to a group of cadets near the open door of a military vehicle. A group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms and berets walk along a dirt path next to a military vehicle. A group of army cadets in camouflage uniforms and berets gather around the side of a military vehicle. A group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms and headsets gathered in an outdoor field. A tandem-rotor military transport helicopter in flight against a cloudy sky. A Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter in flight above a grassy field and a line of trees. A Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter in flight above a woodland. Four young people in camouflage uniforms and tactical helmets standing in a field. Four young people in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets standing in a queue outdoors. Several soldiers in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walk away from a parked military transport helicopter. A cadet wearing a camouflage uniform and flight helmet stands in front of a parked Chinook helicopter. A line of soldiers in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walking away from a parked military helicopter. Several soldiers in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walk away from a parked helicopter, with one soldier waving to the camera. A group of children in military camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walking away from a helicopter. A military aircrew member in uniform and helmet stands in the open side door of a parked green helicopter. A group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walking away from the open rear ramp of a military helicopter. A group of children in military-style camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walking across a gravelled field. Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms and protective helmets pose in front of a hovering military transport helicopter. Soldiers in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walk towards the open rear ramp of a military cargo helicopter. A line of soldiers in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walking towards the open rear ramp of a parked military helicopter. A military instructor helps a young woman in camouflage uniform put on a flying helmet. A military helicopter flies over a line of soldiers seen from behind. Two people in camouflage uniforms and protective helmets stand outdoors, with one smiling at the other. Soldiers in camouflage uniforms and flight helmets walking towards and boarding a large military transport helicopter. A soldier in uniform sits in a gaming chair playing a helicopter flight simulator on a large monitor. Two young cadets in camouflage uniforms and dark berets standing in a field. A young person in military uniform and a black beret sits in the driver's seat of a military vehicle, holding the steering wheel. Two cadets in camouflage uniforms stand with their arms raised in the foreground, whilst a third cadet stands facing forwards in the background. A young cadet in a camouflage uniform and beret stands in a field speaking to two other cadets. Four cadets in camouflage uniforms and berets practise setting up parachute rigging in a field. A team of soldiers in camouflage uniforms pulls a heavy tow cable attached to a military vehicle. A female soldier in camouflage uniform examines a piece of equipment in a field, with two other soldiers standing in the background. Soldiers in camouflage uniforms working together to attach a metal hook to a military vehicle. A group of eight cadets in military uniforms and blue berets pulling a thick rope attached to a large military vehicle. A group of young people in military camouflage uniforms and blue caps standing together outdoors. A group of cadets in camouflage uniforms listen to an instructor whilst gathered around a drone. A soldier in uniform speaks to a small group of people wearing camouflage kit. A group of young people in camouflage uniforms gather around a long, thin pole held upright indoors. An officer in military uniform stands before a seated audience, speaking in front of an Army Cadets backdrop. A young Army Cadet in camouflage uniform stands before a group of peers in front of an Army Cadets branded backdrop. A uniformed Army officer stands before a seated audience in front of an Army Cadets banner. Seven soldiers in camouflage uniforms stand and kneel in front of a blue training tank where a diver in full kit is visible behind a window. Three soldiers in camouflage uniforms and berets work together at a table under a branded marquee. Soldiers in camouflage uniforms working on disassembled small engine parts on a workbench. A diver in a helmet and harness navigates a green maze taped onto a glass water tank, with instruction charts posted on either side. A group of military personnel in camouflage uniforms and berets surrounding a soldier wearing a tactical vest. A diver in an underwater chamber viewed through a glass window, with three military personnel standing outside observing the diver's hand on a grid marked on the glass. Two cadets in camouflage uniforms and berets with red and white plumes sit at a table whilst one writes on a document. A group of cadets in camouflage uniforms and black berets with red and white plumes sit around a table writing on paper, whilst an instructor stands in the background. Three soldiers in camouflage uniforms view a tactical training target marked with a silhouette of a person on a green surface.