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Tech interns inspire over 600 students at Cardiff Science Festival

Date: 26.02.2026

Topics: Skills

Child wearing safety glasses assembles an electronic circuit kit, following instructions from a booklet. - CSA Catapult

Virtual reality and the role of circuits in smartphones were just two of the talking points for students at Cardiff University’s Be a Scientist event last week, part of Cardiff Science Festival 2026.

Two students wearing VR headsets and school uniforms stand indoors, each holding a VR controller and an e-device. - CSA Catapult

Students from South Wales worked with Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult’s UK Electronic Skills Foundation scholars, where they learned how to build circuits and discussed the role compound semiconductors play in powering every day technology like electric cars and smart TVs.

The students also got to explore virtual reality with CSA Catapult’s headsets and see this next-generation technology in action.

Children and adults gather around a table covered with colorful paper squares, engaging in a craft activity. - CSA Catapult

Throughout the day, the interns spoke to children and parents about the benefits of compound semiconductors and their use in future technology which will help the UK achieve Net Zero.  The interns also discussed routes into STEM careers and highlighted opportunities available in South Wales and across the UK.

This year saw CSA Catapult return to Cardiff Science Festival for the sixth year running, to inspire young people and tell their parents about careers in engineering.

Cardiff Science Festival is one of many initiatives supported by CSA Catapult’s Skills Academy. Underpinned by the ethos “you can’t be what you can’t see”, the Academy aims to foster early engagement and inspire and upskill the next generation of engineers.

“I had a great time at Cardiff Science Festival. I spent my day showing students how to build LED light bulbs and explaining the science behind how they work in a simple way.

“It was really rewarding to help them solve their problems, like figuring out why a bulb wouldn’t light up and how to fix it.

“I also enjoyed checking out the interactive stalls, especially the magnetic motors and the microscopes.”

Martha Ssenoga, power electronics intern at CSA Catapult at CSA Catapult

“We showed the children electronic engineering, helped create souvenirs from the day, and guided them through using the interactive VR headsets.

“Speaking to them about the importance of semiconductors and seeing them conquer the challenges the activities presented then light up with joy was brilliant.”

Theo Adegoke, advanced packaging intern at CSA Catapult at CSA Catapult

A child in a red jacket uses a white VR headset labeled
Three young adults stand smiling in front of Catapult banners at an indoor e-event. - CSA Catapult
Adults and children work together on STEM activities at a table during an educational e-event. - CSA Catapult
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