Powering up for decarbonisation

As part of our work to inspire future generations about the opportunities that decarbonisation brings, and develop the skills needed for the new energy world, we proudly contributed to South Yorkshire’s North Star Science School event this year.

We’re keen supporters of the event and delivered an engaging workshop to over 200 excited children at North Star Science School in Rotherham. Now in its fifth year, the event aims to bring together young people, educators, scientists and businesses for a day filled with exploration and discovery in the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Showing students the power of wind

To create an inspiring workshop all about renewable energy, we turned to our very own clean energy experts at our Net Zero Training Academy. Here, we’re upskilling our colleagues in cleaner, greener energy solutions and training technicians and engineers from across the country to install technologies such as smart meters, electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps.

Stewart Hartshorne is a Technical Training and Development Specialist at our Net Zero Training Academy and created a fun and engaging workshop. Students on the day learnt how to build a wind powered car, and in turn discovered more about wind power, aerodynamics and physics concepts like mass, force and friction.

“During the planning and organisation of the North Star project, we considered the importance of catering to all learning styles and diverse abilities, while sticking to STEM learning and Department of Education curriculum guidelines. Our aim was to create an enjoyable and engaging experience for all students and staff taking part in our workshop.

“But the fun and learning doesn’t end at the workshop. The wind powered cars were built using seed paper so the students can take their car home and plant it in the garden and witness its transformation into beautiful wildflowers.

“Our Net Zero Training Academy is dedicated to delivering community engagement initiatives with the aim to inspire students and families by promoting energy efficiency, sustainability awareness so being involved in North Star Science School this year has been brilliant.”

We teamed up with local educational resources provider, Amazelab, to help deliver the workshop. Amazelab is passionate about inspiring the next generation and take a fun and creative approach to all things STEM in a mission to make it accessible to all. Together with Amazelab’s qualified teachers, we delivered an engaging and inspiring workshop with brought the topic of decarbonisation and renewable energy to life for the students.

What our brilliant volunteers thought of the event

Some of our colleagues brought their own personal experience to the day and delivered an inspiring workshop to the hundreds of Years 8 and 9 students who attended, and four of them have shared their thoughts following the event.  

Tianni Kuriakose, Project Management degree apprentice at E.ON UK, said: “The event was a great opportunity to inspire and teach students about the net zero journey that we are on. Through hands-on workshops and providing real-world STEM experience, I was honoured to be able to be a part of empowering the next generation to build a cleaner, greener future.”

Brian Thompson, Net Zero Academy Project Lead at E.ON UK, said: “North Star Science School 2024 was an amazing event to be a part of and to see the enthusiasm for learning from the students was inspiring.  The team from the E.ON Net Zero Academy and everybody else that took part on the day did an incredible job to engage the participants with a fun activity that also provoked thinking around how energy can be carbon neutral. I would love to think that we were introduced to some of the future green skills workforce from the South Yorkshire area and that we were a small part of their journey.”

Caroline King, Supply Chain Senior Category Manager, said: “It was great to see the enthusiasm of the students and their inventiveness in designing the wind powered cars. I hope that we have inspired them to think creatively about the future of energy. It's events like these that plant the seeds for a greener tomorrow and empower the next generation to lead the way in sustainability.”

Angela Beanlands, Social Value & Skills Lead at E.ON UK, said: “As soon as we were approached by Workwise to collaborate with Amazelab to design and deliver a workshop for the event, I asked Stewart, as a former teacher, to get involved. From the start Stewart and the team worked tirelessly to bring together the best possible workshop for the event.

“On the day we were encouraged by the number of local businesses and volunteers who got involved in order to support hundreds of Year 8 students to see the connection between business, STEM skills and future careers and who all really enjoyed themselves in the process.

“A massive thank you to all those that helped out on the day, we look forward to attending again next year and perhaps even getting a photo with Professor Brain Cox next time.”

And Stewart Hartshorne echoed what our amazing volunteers had to say about the event, adding: “It was an honour to be a part of North Star Science School 2024 and to have the opportunity to lead and design a workshop for all the students involved. Although I was initially uncertain about how the day would unfold, having never taken part in this project, I was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic participation of over 175 students. It was truly remarkable to witness each student and staff member develop their kinetic energy, practical creativity, and critical thinking skills.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all the staff and students who took the time to participate and greet us at the E.ON and Amazelab workshop. I’m already looking forward to the 2025 North Star event.”

Building a greener tomorrow

We’ve had a presence in Sheffield for nearly 10 years with our Blackburn Meadows renewable energy plant which currently powers our district heat network in the Lower Don Valley. The district heat network uses biomass to provide a source of low carbon heating to connected buildings in the Lower Don Valley.

Earlier this year, we announced our plans for a multi-million-pound investment that would more than double the size of our district heat network in Sheffield, connecting new businesses and homes across the Lower Don Valley and delivering more low carbon and cost-effective heating.

And as part of this work - which is expected to be completed in the next 10-15 years - we’ll be attending North Star Science School annually for the duration of the project. We’re excited to create and deliver more activities and content to upskill the future generation on the importance of decarbonisation and the green skills needed to deliver the energy transition.

Meeting the world’s decarbonisation goals requires more than advanced technologies — it requires talented individuals with the passion and skills to drive the energy transition. Events like North Star Science School are critical in planting the seeds of curiosity and showing young people how science and technology can fuel positive change in our environment. By investing in the next generation of the green workforce, we’re helping young people become tomorrow’s sustainability leaders and innovators.

The North Star Science School took place on 20^th November 2024 at the Gulliver’s Valley Resort, in Rotherham. The event was organised by The Work-wise Foundation, an employer-led and inspired charity, in collaboration with Well North Enterprises.