Overview
We evaluated our Climate Schools Programme to understand its impact. 333 students and 25 teachers were surveyed plus we held interviews with 7 teachers.
We studied how the programme influenced students’ knowledge, motivation, and interest in engineering and technology careers, and students’ knowledge and feelings of hopefulness around tackling climate change. The findings are positive. 63% of students enjoyed the event and an increased knowledge, motivation, and interest in engineering and tech careers. Students’ knowledge of the role engineers play in finding solutions to climate change and feelings of hopefulness tackling it increased too.
We also explored teachers’ knowledge of, and confidence to discuss, engineering and technology careers and climate change with students. They reported an increased knowledge and confidence on both counts.
Our evaluation also covers further key findings, areas for improvement, and recommendations for future programmes.
Climate Schools Programme 2024/25 evaluation
Publication date
- December 2025
Who is this for
- Employers
- Researchers
- STEM outreach organisations
Key findings
Climate Schools Programme empowers school students to explore innovative solutions to tackle climate change. It gives teachers the resources, knowledge and confidence to address this issue with their students. It's designed to make links between curriculum subjects and real world careers.
For students, our evaluation found that:
- 63% of students enjoyed Climate Schools Programme, with all groups of students rating it similarly
- 67% of students reported increased knowledge on the different types of things engineers do in their jobs
- 67% of students reported increased knowledge of the role engineers play in finding solutions to climate change
- 69% of students reported feeling more hopeful about what we can do to tackle climate change
- 52% of students reported being motivated to find out more about engineering or technology jobs
- 56% of students reported increased interest in engineering or technology jobs
- students who had engaged with less STEM activities before Climate Schools Programme responded positively across most areas, suggesting the programme reaches less engaged groups
- girls and boys reported similar positive experiences across the programme for all outcomes. This doesn't mirror national level findings, or other EngineeringUK programmes, however the limited sample size caveats this
Teachers were very positive about Climate Schools Programme:
- 96% said Climate Schools Programme was engaging for their students
- 96% said Climate Schools Programme had links to the curriculum
- 92% said Climate Schools Programme highlighted a wide variety of careers in engineering, technology and science
- 76% were more knowledgeable about careers in engineering and technology after taking part in Climate Schools Programme
- 96% said Climate Schools Programme Highlighted solutions to climate change and other environmental problems
- 80% were more confident in speaking to students about careers in engineering and technology after taking part in Climate Schools Programme
- 76% were more likely to suggest to a student that they consider a career in engineering and technology
- 84% were more knowledgeable about speaking to students around climate change
- 92% were more confident about speaking to students around climate change
I like the resources we have received, including lesson plans and the direct communication with the people who run Climate Schools Programme. It is not just an online resource, it’s interactive for both teachers and pupils.
— Teacher
Using real-life people to describe their job roles opened up pathways that my pupils had not thought about. Seeing that engineering roles are accessible to all walks of life allows them to aim high.
— Teacher
