On Thursday 19th September, Physics Partners hosted an unforgettable Sustainable Energy Study Day in Birmingham, bringing together 160 pupils in years 10, 11 and 12, from nine schools across the city.
Supported by The Ironmongers Foundation and hosted at King Edward’s School, the event was designed to ignite students’ curiosity and open their eyes to the vast possibilities within the STEM fields. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with over 90% of pupils expressing that the event encouraged them to consider further education in STEM.
A Day of Expert-Led Insights and Engaging Sessions
We were fortunate to have a stellar lineup of experts, from renowned universities and innovative companies, leading sessions on various topics related to energy, materials science, and sustainable technologies.
- Tim Hall and Chris Ellins from Total Flow Ltd kicked off the day with a brilliant session exploring the past, present, and future of energy. Their interactive session got students engaged and laid the foundation for the day.
- Professor Alessandro Mottura from the University of Birmingham followed with an in-depth session on advanced materials. His work on the interaction of atoms in metals and alloys, crucial for developing aerospace and healthcare technologies, was particularly inspiring. One student noted, “The thoroughly enjoyed the material science session. It gave me a positive outlook on physics!”
- Professor Wade Allison from the University of Oxford shared his vast knowledge of nuclear physics, highlighting how quantum physics can unlock nearly limitless energy sources. His insights into the role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future left students with a renewed sense of optimism about the potential of clean energy solutions. One student said “Professor Allison’s talk was incredibly eye-opening”.
- Professor Patricia Thornley from Aston University presented a fascinating talk on bioenergy, leading students through its critical role in a low-carbon future. She gave examples of real-world innovations shaping sustainable energy practices.
- Rounding off the day was an interactive panel session featuring Emily Ly, Hydrogen Strategy Manager at National Gas Transmission, and David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo Ltd, alongside the day’s speakers. Students asked challenging and intelligent questions and demonstrated a keen interest in the topics they had heard about.
Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Leaders
The feedback from students and teachers was overwhelmingly positive. One student said, “The overall event was brilliant, extremely inspiring and encouraging towards STEM careers.” Another student said, “The day allowed me to consider STEM in a way I hadn’t before, usually I would consider the humanities more”.
A Fun Takeaway: The Power of Positivity
One of the fun highlights of the day was the custom tote bags created by the talented Neil Crumpton at @PureGeekDesigns. The bags featured the quote, “Think like a proton. Be positive!” – a perfect reminder for students to approach their studies and futures with optimism and enthusiasm. These were a huge hit, reinforcing the idea that science can be both fun and inspiring! Thank you to Professor Allison for donating all the students copies of his books: ‘Radiation and Reason: The Impact of Science on a Culture of Fear’ and ‘Nuclear is for Life: A Cultural Revolution’.
A Special Thanks to Our Supporters
Events like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of key partners. We extend our thanks to the Ironmongers Foundation for their generous backing of this event and our ongoing work in Birmingham. We are also deeply grateful to King Edward’s School for their ongoing support and for hosting us in the fabulous Ruddock Performing Arts Centre.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the success of this year’s Birmingham Study Day, we are excited for what’s to come. Later this academic year we will be holding a Girls in STEM day at the University of Birmingham where slightly younger students will get hands-on experience through a variety of workshops at STEM departments. We will also continue to deliver subject knowledge support for non-specialist teachers across Birmingham.
Thank you once again to our speakers, partners, and everyone who helped make this event a success. We look forward to continuing to inspire and support the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
