As Technology Accelerates in Schools, STEM Education Must Lead — Not Follow

Feb 23, 2026

The government’s £23 million expansion of its edtech and AI pilot confirms what educators already know: technology is reshaping classrooms at pace. With over 1,000 schools set to trial AI and advanced digital tools over the next four years, the national focus on innovation in education has never been clearer.

But as schools explore new digital capabilities, a deeper question emerges: are we equipping students with the knowledge and applied skills to understand, design and shape that technology?

For Nigel Hunter, that is where STEM education must step forward. “Technology in education is evolving rapidly,” Hunter said. “But genuine progress is not about adopting tools. It is about developing capability — ensuring young people understand engineering principles, systems thinking and applied design.”

As part of this commitment, Philip Harris, Findel’s specialist science brand with over two centuries of heritage in laboratory and STEM supply, is preparing to launch a new Design and Technology range for secondary schools. The development reflects curriculum reform, industry progression and the increasing intersection between physical engineering and digital systems.

“Design and Technology is no longer confined to traditional workshop models,” Hunter explained. “It now sits at the crossroads of engineering, materials science, sustainability and digital integration. Our new range has been built to reflect that reality.” The expansion strengthens Philip Harris’ position as a sector leader in practical STEM education — bridging foundational science learning with applied technical skills that align to modern industry pathways.

Importantly, the new range is not trend-led. It has been shaped around curriculum sequencing, durability and real classroom constraints. “Being Made for Education means understanding how subjects are actually taught,” Hunter added. “Schools need equipment that is robust, safe, curriculum-aligned and capable of supporting progressive skill development — not one-off demonstrations.”

The national conversation around AI, automation and digital transformation only reinforces the importance of strong STEM foundations. Without confident understanding of design, mechanics, systems and material properties, technological literacy remains superficial.

Philip Harris’ forthcoming Design and Technology launch is therefore not simply a product development milestone. It is a strategic commitment to ensuring secondary STEM education keeps pace with the world students are preparing to enter.
“Education should not chase technology,” Hunter concluded. “It should prepare students to shape it.”

As innovation accelerates across the system, Findel remains focused on one principle: meaningful STEM education must combine heritage expertise with forward-looking capability — equipping every learner with the confidence to build, design and innovate.

As funding pressures continue, Findel remains focused on one principle: supporting schools with dependable, education-first solutions that help leaders navigate complexity with confidence.