Thousands of School students debate future of STEM

Over 40,000 students in schools across the UK have been discussing their ambitions for the future of STEM this week. 

This was part of the 10th annual Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, which provides school students with the platform to voice their hopes for where engineering innovations could lead us in the future, and to discuss how to achieve them. 

The Future Minds Broadcast is part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week and has seen over 40,000 school students take part and discuss the different ways in which engineering innovations could improve the world around us over the next 10 years. 

The top ideas this year as voted by students were improving accessibility in sport through improved prosthetics, increasing biodiversity in more areas through rewilding projects and developing mechanical bees to increase pollination levels.  

Over 200,000 young people in hundreds of schools have taken part in Tomorrow’s Engineers Week through live events in the past 5 years, engaging their minds through creative learning. 

Rebecca Wilkinson, Head of Science at The Polesworth School in Warwickshirehas been overseeing her students engage with Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2022. 

She commented:

“During the event, students from across the UK heard from thought leaders in engineering and were encouraged to discuss and present their own ideas for how new innovations could improve the world around us over the next decade. 

“Witnessing how inspired and motivated my students were as a result of this event, I was reminded of how crucial it is for young people to have access to varied learning opportunities such as these. Tomorrow’s Engineers Week allows students to add their voices to these vital discussions, thereby making a career in STEM seem not only inspiring, but accessible.”

Eleanor Eyre, Head of Careers at EngineeringUK, which organises Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, said:

“We are very proud that Tomorrow’s Engineers Week has grown to become a key date in many school’s calendars. 

“This year we are once again reminded of the importance of giving young people a voice and amplifying their ideas, to engage young minds and grow their confidence to pursue a career in STEM. 

“The ideas presented by the students as part of Future Minds showed promising creativity and innovation. The next generation clearly has huge potential and ambition for finding ways to solve our world’s biggest problems, and creating a better future for all.”

The 10th Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (#TEWeek22) took place from 7 to 11 November 2022 with a lesson plan and teaching resources available for schools to take part in the Future Minds discussions. A packed calendar also saw engineering professionals showcase the impact their jobs have on different industries, and how they will play a pivotal part in shaping the future of engineering.