Interactive science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine experiences to inspire visitors of all ages.
Visitors to the Royal Norfolk Show 2026 will be invited to explore the unseen forces shaping our world when the STEMM Village returns with its theme “Hidden Worlds – From Microbes to Megawatts.”
Taking place on 24–25 June 2026, the STEMM Village will showcase the science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine innovations driving the future of health, clean energy, agriculture, environmental sustainability and digital technology.
Located alongside the Show’s Discovery Zone, the STEMM Village brings together researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, engineers, industry leaders and young innovators from across Norfolk and beyond. Through hands-on activities, demonstrations and immersive experiences, visitors will discover how invisible systems, from microscopic organisms in the soil to the energy networks powering modern life, affect every aspect of society.
A major attraction for 2026 will be the Microbe Zoo, an immersive walk-through experience that reveals the hidden world of microbes and their role in ecosystems, food production and human health.
Managed by Dudgeon Curator of the RNAA STEMM Village Dr Samantha Fox, the STEMM Village aims to inspire curiosity, highlight future career opportunities and showcase the region’s strengths in research, innovation and skills development.
“Hidden Worlds is about revealing the extraordinary systems we rarely see but rely on every day,” said Dr Samantha Fox. “From the microbes beneath our feet to the technologies enabling clean energy and healthcare advances, the STEMM Village will help visitors understand how science and innovation are shaping our future.”
The 2026 theme aligns with the wider Royal Norfolk Show theme of Culture & Collaboration, celebrating the partnerships between education, industry, research organisations, healthcare providers and community groups that are helping to address some of society’s biggest challenges.
Visitors can expect:
- Interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages
- The immersive Microbe Zoo experience
- Demonstrations exploring health, life sciences, engineering and technology
- Opportunities to meet scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, apprentices and students
- Showcases of clean energy, agri-tech, AI, robotics, digital innovation and environmental research
- Information on STEMM careers, training pathways and future skills
- Live illustration by artist Rebecca Osborne, capturing the activity and atmosphere of the STEMM Village throughout the Show
Exhibitors include leading organisations from academia, healthcare, industry and education, including the Babraham Institute, BAE Systems, John Innes Centre, National Grid, Ørsted, Siemens Energy, University of East Anglia, Norwich University of the Arts, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and many others.
The STEMM Village is supported by the Dudgeon Community Fund, delivered by Norfolk Community Foundation and funded by the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm, operated by Equinor.
