Project
A STEM and enterprise programme focused on sustainability and youth empowerment - nearly 35,000 students nationwide have benefitted so far!
Secondary
The Big Ideas Programme is a national STEM and enterprise programme focused on finding creative solutions to sustainability issues.
The programme is aimed at 11-14 year-olds and is delivered in partnership with Solutions for the Planet's network of business partners, whose employees mentor teams of young people in schools local to them to develop creative solutions (or ‘Big Ideas’) to the sustainability issues that young people themselves care deeply about. These Big Ideas are submitted into the Big Ideas Competition, with Regional Finals held at local universities, and the National Final at the Palace of Westminster in London.
The Big Ideas Programme aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Skills Builder Framework (with Impact Level 4 accreditation), the UK Government’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (April 2022), and the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance to promote sustainability, STEM careers, and essential skills. Students who present at a Regional Final also receive a CREST Bronze Award.
Capacity
Solutions for the Planet works with 3,000 students a year nationwide. They work with 60-150 students on a single Big Ideas Day (teachers can also contact them for larger group sizes).
Cost
The participation fee is heavily subsidised by the provider's business partners which means they are able to offer the full programme for £750. This includes taking 60-150 students on the journey from Big Ideas Day, potentially all the way to the National Final in 2026.
Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Develop engineering employability skills
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
Planning - Setting goals and designing routes to achieve them
Creativity - Using imagination and generating new ideas
Leadership - Supporting, encouraging and motivating others to achieve a shared goal
Listening - Receiving, retaining and processing information
Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges
Speaking - Transmitting information or ideas
Adapting - Overcoming challenges and setbacks to achieve goals
Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal
What the teachers sayLog in to write a testimonialWe would love to read all about your time with this experience!
Secondary
Discover Energy with Megawatt! Megawatt combines hands-on resources and an engaging card game to teach about energy, climate change, and sustainability.
Secondary
Hands-on learning about sustainable electricity generation as part of the UK energy security.
