North West Hydrogen Alliance and HyNet partner with Mad Science to inspire next generation of scientists
Over 350 scientists and engineers of the future have been learning about climate change, carbon emissions, renewable energy and the role that hydrogen will play in reaching net zero. Thanks to a new partnership between the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NHWA), industrial decarbonisation project HyNet and Mad Science – a leading children’s science enrichment and education provider.
Ten schools across the North West have benefitted from workshops delivered by Mad Science, spearheaded by the NWHA. The workshops, ran as part of the UK’s first national Hydrogen Week and have inspired over 350 pupils through hands-on, learning experiences.
The hour-long fun and engaging workshops taught children about climate change, fossil fuels and carbon emissions in a fun, engaging way as well as the importance of renewable energy sources, energy conservation and the role of hydrogen as a low carbon energy source. Pupils even got to grips with a prototype hydrogen powered car to learn about how energy is produced through a hydrogen fuel cell.
Linked to the core Key Stage 2 curriculum, the workshop encouraged children to think about sustainability issues and the impact of climate change, rising temperatures and melting ice caps.
Mad Science also delivered workshop demonstrations at the NWHA’s major conference ‘Delivering the Hydrogen Economy’ last month in Liverpool, which brought together over 250 delegates and speakers including Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, INEOS Inovyn, Cadent Gas, Vertex Hydrogen, Enciric and Pilkington and Carlton Power.
Professor Joe Howe, Chair of the NWHA and Executive Director Thornton Research Institute at the University of Chester, said:
“The team at Mad Science do great work delivering interactive workshops in schools and teaching young people about science in a way that is fun, engaging and sparks children’s natural curiosity.
“At the NWHA, we are determined to inspire young people and help them to learn about climate change, renewable energy and demonstrate that projects like HyNet are taking place right on their doorstep with the power to change our future energy mix.
“It is absolutely fantastic that over 350 local pupils have already had the opportunity to get involved in these workshops, with more to come. I’m sure that the children will go on to explore and learn more about science, climate change and technology and maybe even become the hydrogen researchers and climate scientists of the future!”
David Walker, HyNet Project Manager said:
“We are proud to partner with the NWHA and Mad Science to inspire the future generation and to enable more children, here in the North West of England and North Wales to benefit from science education.
“HyNet will enable industry to switch across from using fossil fuels to low carbon hydrogen – including from factories like Kellogg’s, Pilkington Glass and Essity. This will drastically reduce the amount of carbon dioxide they produce. HyNet will also capture carbon emissions from industry which will then be locked away forever, under the sea.
“We fully understand the value of engaging with younger generations to answer their important questions and explain how the cereal they eat in the morning could soon be produced by low carbon fuel produced just down the road from their school!”
Tom Davies, Deputy Manager at Mad Science, said:
“At Mad Science our mission is to inspire children through science and spark their imagination, so we are really grateful for the support of NWHA and Progressive Energy which has enabled us to reach more children across the North West and give more young people the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by our workshops.
“It is clear from working with the team at NWHA that they are committed to delivering a low carbon economy and reaching net zero, which aligns perfectly with our work teaching children about climate change, carbon emissions, fossil fuels and renewable energy.
“The children who have taken part in these workshops have learnt a huge amount and had a lot of fun along the way too!”