Energy Quest with the Volvo For Life Fund

Energy Quest is a curriculum-aligned science workshop offering fun, practical, hands-on experiments to students aged 11 to 13. Students work in teams and use problem solving skills and their science knowledge to explore real-world scenarios.

The partnership with the Volvo For Life Fund, a global philanthropic initiative, will allow Energy Quest to reach 80 schools and over 20,000 students directly or via their teachers across Scotland, Wales, Midlands, London, and the South East. Outreach will take place between November and July.

The Fund supports projects to empower people, restore, and preserve the planet and provide protection when natural disasters strike.

Head of the Volvo For Life Fund, Louise Thompson, commented: “Through our partnership with EngineeringUK, we can help inspire the next generation of engineers and energy technicians and help them develop skills they need for the jobs of the future. This goes in line with our vision for the Fund, which is to extend our commitment to safety beyond just the road.”

Head of Engagement Programmes, EngineeringUK, Kim Biddulph commented: “We’re excited to team up with the Volvo For Life Fund to expand our popular Energy Quest programme. We know that students are motivated by practical work, but that it’s on the decline in the classroom. By giving them hands-on experiences in real-world settings, we hope to spark their interest and help them see what a varied and rewarding career engineering and technology could offer them in the future.”

Research by EngineeringUK and the Royal Society published earlier this year highlighted the decline of practical science lessons in schools. The Science Education Tracker research also found doing practical science is a key motivator to learning science for young people.

EngineeringUK Chief Executive, Dr Hilary Leevers, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Volvo For Life Fund to help inform, educate and excite young people about energy and the important jobs in engineering and technology and as energy technicians that will help our planet in the face of climate change.”