The new Programme, ‘Fuel the Future’, can be booked by UK schools – including those in the most deprived parts of the country that are set to benefit from free visits from the Ri’s professional science presenters this academic year – via the learning pages on the Ri website.
‘Fuel the Future’, created with funding from Google.org, will reach around 6,000 primary and early-secondary age pupils in the 2024-25 school year, helping the Ri to reach more than 100,000 pupils in total, with the majority through free visits to schools in the most deprived parts of the UK. In the next five years it is anticipated ‘Fuel the Future’ will engage more than 125,000 children with science.
And with the majority of sustainability resources currently available being aimed at secondary school students – many of whom have well established views on sustainability, leaving them feeling fearful and disengaged – tailoring the Schools Sustainability Day to younger children is set to improve their perception of climate change from one of fear and hopelessness, to positivity and empowerment from an early age.
In evaluation of the Ri’s existing Science in Schools activities, 96% of teachers reported that students' knowledge and understanding of the specific topic had increased, 94% said that feelings towards science had become more positive and 92% of teachers receiving Continuous professional development said their confidence in delivering their own in-school demonstrations had increased.
Content for ‘Fuel the Future’ was co-created with young students from eight schools in the London Borough of Camden; with six of the schools located in areas of the highest 40% of deprivation in England according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index.
Katherine Mathieson, Director of the Royal Institution, said: “Evidence gathered during the development of ‘Fuel the Future’ demonstrates that a single hands-on workshop can significantly increase feelings of climate optimism in children aged 6-10, while the opportunity to carry out experiments and problem-solve independently was valued by both students and teachers.
“So we are delighted to be supporting students’ science education in so many UK schools through free visits and, thanks to support from Google and schools in Camden, to be able to offer a brand-new show linked to the climate crisis as the most significant world challenge of our age.”
Zoe Stern, Head of Community Affairs Europe, Google, said: "The climate solutions of the future will be created by the school children of today. That's why we're working with the Royal Institution to inspire the next generation of innovators at an early age, ignite their passion for STEM subjects, and empower them with the tools needed for climate action.
“Our initial pilot in Camden has produced fantastic results and we are thrilled that this Google.org grant will enable Ri to build on this success with a nationwide programme."
The ‘Fuel the future’ Schools Sustainability Day will be available to schools nationwide, delivered by one of the Ri’s professional science demonstrators through the Ri’s Science in Schools Programme. Each schools visit includes two inspirational shows for students, continuous professional development for science teachers, and an evening show to engage the wider school community.
In ‘Fuel the future’, primary and early secondary-age children will explore the chemistry and physics of fuels from the past, present and future; the effect of CO2 on our planet; and why plastics can be such a problem. They’ll discover the science behind generating electricity sustainably, transferring it, and storing it using batteries. And through an array of exciting demonstrations – including how water can be used to power an explosion to create clean fuel – they’ll learn what sustainability is, and why it’s so important.