YOUNG PEOPLE DISCUSS ENGINEERING A WAY OUT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Over 24,000 students take part in virtual event #TEWeek21 (@Tomorrows_Eng)

Thousands of secondary school students have sent a resounding message to decision makers about the ideas needed to help meet net zero targets.

The students, who took part in a Schools COP organised as part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (8 to12 November 2021), have discussed how engineers can help the country meet net zero.

Ideas included ways that engineers can help efforts to improve biodiversity on land and at sea and the development of self-sufficient agri-biomes for farm animals to capture methane so it can be converted into an energy source.

The ideas were initially developed at a summit of more than 70 students from over 30 schools.  Over 24,000 students registered for the event and more have since debated the ideas in the classrooms as part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week.

Over 27,000 students have also watched films of inspiring engineers who are helping to tackle climate change on Snapchat and TikTok.

Engineers featured in the films included Jaz Rabadia MBE, who is helping businesses reduce the amount of energy that they use and lower their carbon footprint. Jaz said:

“When deciding what I should study at university, I researched engineering and I realised how important it is in making a difference to the world and to bettering people’s lives. I knew then that, by studying engineering, I could help make a difference.”

Dr Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, which organises Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, said:

“It has been inspiring to hear about all the ideas discussed by students  and by the level of thought that had gone into their ideas. Some converged with technologies currently being explored, others were more unexpected but showed real creativity and innovative thinking.

“Students clearly saw the role of science and engineering in meeting the net zero challenge. It is vital that we convey to all young people the range of exciting engineering roles that they could have in the future, and through them contribute to achieving net zero and a greener world.”

The ninth Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (#TEWeek21) took place from 8 to 12 November 2021 with a lesson plan and teaching resources available for schools to take part in the Schools COP discussions. A packed calendar also saw engineering professionals showcase the impact their jobs have on meeting net zero. Meanwhile, institutions, employers and schools came together to deliver inspiring activities to give young people the opportunity to discuss solutions to the climate crisis.

For more information visit: www.teweek.org.uk