Darwin Centre wins Educational Charity of the Year in Wales

THE Darwin Centre has been named Educational Charity of the Year at the Prestige Wales Awards, providing a fitting finale to an exceptional academic year that has celebrated both achievement and partnership.

The prestigious award recognises the Haverfordwest-based charity’s outstanding contribution to STEM education across Pembrokeshire, where it continues to inspire thousands of young people through hands-on science workshops, field trips and community events. The judges praised the charity’s “sustained, thoughtful approach” and its ability to combine innovation with long-term impact, making science exciting, accessible and relevant for learners of all ages.

The recognition comes during a milestone year for the charity as it celebrates 20 years of the Dragon Darwin Experience, a long-standing partnership with Dragon LNG that has transformed access to STEM education across Pembrokeshire. Since 2005, the programme has ensured that every school in the county can access free STEM workshops and field trips, removing financial barriers and providing memorable learning experiences for thousands of young people.

The 2025/26 academic year has been one of the charity's busiest to date, with the Darwin Centre delivering 174 events and engaging 5,711 participants from schools, community groups and families across Pembrokeshire.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Dragon Darwin Experience, the charity organised a series of special celebration events throughout the academic year.

The celebrations began in October 2025 with Microbiology, Mishaps and Molecules, an inspiring event led by local microbiologist Dr Connor Bowen, a former Darwin Centre volunteer and Milford Haven School pupil. Students from Pembrokeshire College and Milford Haven School explored the fascinating world of microbiology while gaining an insight into scientific careers and research.

In November, the anniversary celebrations continued at Roch CP School, where the very first Dragon Darwin Experience workshop was delivered twenty years ago. Pupils enjoyed a day of hands-on STEM activities led by the Darwin Centre, Pembrokeshire Hogspital and Braintastic Science before taking part in an interactive Amazing Animals science show.

The celebrations then moved to the Merlin Theatre at Pembrokeshire College for a Science Spectacular, where pupils from Monkton Priory Community Primary School, Coastlands Community Primary School, Neyland Community School and St Teilo's Catholic Primary School showcased their involvement in the Dragon Darwin Experience over the past two decades, sharing their favourite memories and experiences.

The day concluded with a free evening celebration for families. Interactive STEM activity stations, including seaweed snacks, marine curiosities and solar system models, gave visitors the chance to explore science together before enjoying the entertaining That's Non-Sense live science show. The event also provided an opportunity to recognise and thank the many staff, workshop providers, volunteers and supporters who have contributed to the programme's success over the past twenty years.

The celebrations reached another high point during British Science Week in March 2026, when the charity delivered its largest programme of anniversary events. Highlights included the hugely popular Ugly Animal Roadshow, delivered in partnership with Simon Watt across six Pembrokeshire schools, the ugly and misunderstood animal-themed Science Aglow evening event, and ten STEM workshops delivered at Ysgol Caer Elen.

Alongside these celebrations, thousands of pupils took part in experiences ranging from marine biology fieldwork and astronomy workshops to chemistry investigations, virtual reality space missions, coding, ecology, dissections and environmental science, continuing the Dragon Darwin Experience's mission of inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.

Samantha Williams, Charity Manager at the Darwin Centre, said:

"Winning Educational Charity of the Year is a fantastic way to round off what has been an incredibly special academic year for everyone involved with the Darwin Centre. Celebrating 20 years of the Dragon Darwin Experience has given us the opportunity to reflect on just how many young people have been inspired through this remarkable partnership.

"None of this would have been possible without the continued support of Dragon LNG, our dedicated trustees, volunteers, workshop providers, partner organisations and, of course, the schools and teachers who welcome us year after year. We are incredibly proud that, together, we continue to provide free, high-quality STEM experiences to every school in Pembrokeshire, helping young people develop curiosity, confidence and a lifelong passion for science."

With preparations already underway for the 2026/27 academic year, the Darwin Centre is looking ahead to the future with confidence. Having inspired more than 80,000 participants through the Dragon Darwin Experience over the past 20 years, the charity, with the continued support of Dragon LNG, looks forward to creating even more memorable STEM experiences and inspiring thousands more young people across Pembrokeshire in the years to come.