Backing The Future | North Star Science School Business Event 2026
Gulliver's Valley Theme Park, Sheffield, S26 5QW
Wednesday 18th November 2026
We are delighted to invite colleagues from across the business community to join us for our North Star 2026 Business Event on Wednesday 18 November 2026 at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, Sheffield.
North Star Science School returns this year, and we are anticipating a record-breaking event, with over 1,000 Year 8 and Year 9 students from around 40 South Yorkshire schools registered to attend plus 200 students in Year 5 and 6 from 4 schools. The day will provide an inspiring and impactful programme of STEAM activities, covering Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.
Backing the Future is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the day, experience some of the fantastic activities delivered to students, and explore the vital role businesses play in inspiring young people and shaping the future workforce for our region.
Throughout the event, we will hear from inspiring speakers who champion the importance of business engagement with education. Together, we will explore how meaningful partnerships between schools and employers can raise aspirations, showcase career opportunities and help young people develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in the world of work.
By working together, we can help ensure that young people understand the opportunities available to them and that businesses have a voice in developing the talent our region needs for the future.
Event speakers
Alex Gardner - Host
The Work-wise Foundation, Associate
Alex is our host for the day for the sixth year and brings her trademark energy and enthusiasm to North Star Science School 2026.
Alex has been a proud associate of The Work-wise Foundation for over a decade, supporting young people and adults to explore, experience and succeed in STEM careers.
On behalf of Work-wise, she has delivered STEM sessions to primary and secondary schools, run Women into Construction programmes, and
supported initiatives helping unemployed adults back into engineering and manufacturing. Alex is passionate about inspiring the next generation and absolutely loves the North Star event and engaging with the young people who attend.
Peter Edwards
The Work-wise Foundation, CEO
Peter joined The Work-wise Foundation as Chief Executive in 2024, bringing with him extensive experience in manufacturing, business leadership and industry engagement across South Yorkshire.
Peter began his career in the family steel and engineering business, undertaking a range of commercial roles that developed his understanding of manufacturing operations, business development and customer relationships.
In 2010, he became Managing Director of G & J Hall Ltd, a manufacturer of engineers’ cutting tools, where he further developed his expertise in manufacturing best practice, commercial management and team leadership.
In 2018, Peter was appointed Chief Executive of the International Trade Forum and Manufacturing Forum. Through this role, he strengthened his extensive network across the South Yorkshire business community, building relationships with manufacturers, industry specialists and service providers.
Peter’s career has been firmly rooted in manufacturing and supporting the regional business community. He now draws on this wealth of industry knowledge, commercial insight and established relationships to strengthen connections between businesses, education providers and young people.
Through his leadership at The Work-wise Foundation, Peter is committed to promoting skills development, inspiring future talent and helping ensure that young people are equipped to meet the evolving needs of the regional workforce.
Ruth Amos - Inventor, Presenter & Author
Kids Invent Stuff, Director
Ruth Amos is an award-winning British inventor, presenter and professional speaker. She started inventing while at school, designing the Stairsteady for her GCSE resistant materials projects. She was Young Engineer for Britain in 2006 for the product. She then co-founded the YouTube channel ‘Kids invent Stuff ’ with fellow inventor, Shawn Brown.
The channel brings to life kids’ invention ideas from seven foot dinosaurs that mop the floor to popcorn-firing doorbells. The channel has had millions of views and each year thousands of children from across the world submit invention ideas as well as being featured on BBC’s the One Show & BBC News. Ruth is also the author of The Inventor’s Workshop and is a Guinness World Record Holder.
Jim Semmelroth
UTC Doncaster, Principal
Jim Semmelroth is Principal of Doncaster UTC, having joined the college as Assistant Principal in 2023, progressing to Head of School in January 2024 before being appointed as Principal in September 2024. With extensive experience across the education sector, Jim has held a range of leadership positions alongside his background as a Teacher of Mathematics.
At Doncaster UTC, Jim leads a distinctive and ambitious college community where academic excellence is combined with real-world industry experience. Specialising in Engineering and Creative Digital Media, the UTC works in partnership with leading employers and universities to provide students with unique opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for successful futures. Passionate about broadening horizons and raising aspirations, Jim is committed to ensuring every student is equipped to thrive in further education, apprenticeships and the workplace.
Event details
Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
Time: 4.00 pm – 6.30 pm
Venue: Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park
Mansfield Road
Sheffield
S26 5QW
What3Words: ///goggles.searcher.general
https://w3w.co/goggles.searcher.general
Free parking is available at the venue, and refreshments will be served on arrival.
Join us in Backing the Future...
We would love you to join us for this special event and be part of the conversation about how businesses, schools and education partners can work together to inspire young people and strengthen the future workforce across South Yorkshire. Book now!
North Star Science School returns this year, and we are anticipating a record-breaking event, with over 1,000 Year 8 and Year 9 students from around 40 South Yorkshire schools registered to attend plus 200 students in Year 5 and 6 from 4 schools. The day will provide an inspiring and impactful programme of STEAM activities, covering Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.
Backing the Future is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the day, experience some of the fantastic activities delivered to students, and explore the vital role businesses play in inspiring young people and shaping the future workforce for our region.
Throughout the event, we will hear from inspiring speakers who champion the importance of business engagement with education. Together, we will explore how meaningful partnerships between schools and employers can raise aspirations, showcase career opportunities and help young people develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in the world of work.
By working together, we can help ensure that young people understand the opportunities available to them and that businesses have a voice in developing the talent our region needs for the future.
Event speakers
Alex Gardner - Host
The Work-wise Foundation, Associate
Alex is our host for the day for the sixth year and brings her trademark energy and enthusiasm to North Star Science School 2026.
Alex has been a proud associate of The Work-wise Foundation for over a decade, supporting young people and adults to explore, experience and succeed in STEM careers.
On behalf of Work-wise, she has delivered STEM sessions to primary and secondary schools, run Women into Construction programmes, and
supported initiatives helping unemployed adults back into engineering and manufacturing. Alex is passionate about inspiring the next generation and absolutely loves the North Star event and engaging with the young people who attend.
Peter Edwards
The Work-wise Foundation, CEO
Peter joined The Work-wise Foundation as Chief Executive in 2024, bringing with him extensive experience in manufacturing, business leadership and industry engagement across South Yorkshire.
Peter began his career in the family steel and engineering business, undertaking a range of commercial roles that developed his understanding of manufacturing operations, business development and customer relationships.
In 2010, he became Managing Director of G & J Hall Ltd, a manufacturer of engineers’ cutting tools, where he further developed his expertise in manufacturing best practice, commercial management and team leadership.
In 2018, Peter was appointed Chief Executive of the International Trade Forum and Manufacturing Forum. Through this role, he strengthened his extensive network across the South Yorkshire business community, building relationships with manufacturers, industry specialists and service providers.
Peter’s career has been firmly rooted in manufacturing and supporting the regional business community. He now draws on this wealth of industry knowledge, commercial insight and established relationships to strengthen connections between businesses, education providers and young people.
Through his leadership at The Work-wise Foundation, Peter is committed to promoting skills development, inspiring future talent and helping ensure that young people are equipped to meet the evolving needs of the regional workforce.
Ruth Amos - Inventor, Presenter & Author
Kids Invent Stuff, Director
Ruth Amos is an award-winning British inventor, presenter and professional speaker. She started inventing while at school, designing the Stairsteady for her GCSE resistant materials projects. She was Young Engineer for Britain in 2006 for the product. She then co-founded the YouTube channel ‘Kids invent Stuff ’ with fellow inventor, Shawn Brown.
The channel brings to life kids’ invention ideas from seven foot dinosaurs that mop the floor to popcorn-firing doorbells. The channel has had millions of views and each year thousands of children from across the world submit invention ideas as well as being featured on BBC’s the One Show & BBC News. Ruth is also the author of The Inventor’s Workshop and is a Guinness World Record Holder.
Jim Semmelroth
UTC Doncaster, Principal
Jim Semmelroth is Principal of Doncaster UTC, having joined the college as Assistant Principal in 2023, progressing to Head of School in January 2024 before being appointed as Principal in September 2024. With extensive experience across the education sector, Jim has held a range of leadership positions alongside his background as a Teacher of Mathematics.
At Doncaster UTC, Jim leads a distinctive and ambitious college community where academic excellence is combined with real-world industry experience. Specialising in Engineering and Creative Digital Media, the UTC works in partnership with leading employers and universities to provide students with unique opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for successful futures. Passionate about broadening horizons and raising aspirations, Jim is committed to ensuring every student is equipped to thrive in further education, apprenticeships and the workplace.
Event details
Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
Time: 4.00 pm – 6.30 pm
Venue: Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park
Mansfield Road
Sheffield
S26 5QW
What3Words: ///goggles.searcher.general
https://w3w.co/goggles.searcher.general
Free parking is available at the venue, and refreshments will be served on arrival.
Join us in Backing the Future...
We would love you to join us for this special event and be part of the conversation about how businesses, schools and education partners can work together to inspire young people and strengthen the future workforce across South Yorkshire. Book now!
Price
Ticket price
£0.00
