We believe in the power of young people to face the future and its challenges head on, and in the importance of collaboration with business.
Our award-winning Big Ideas Programme connects students with businesses local to them to start conversations around a sustainable future whilst educating a diverse young audience about the many opportunities within the STEM sector.
Solutions for the planet
A climate in crisis, a fragmented society where there is little integration between private business and public services, an unstable jobs market and a STEM sector dominated by white men…big problems need big solutions – and that’s where we come in.
The Big Ideas Programme is a national STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) 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 our network of Business Partners. Their employees mentor teams of young people in schools, local to them, to develop creative solutions (or ‘Big Ideas’) to sustainability issues the young people themselves deeply care about. These Big Ideas are submitted into our Big Ideas Competition, with Regional Finals held at local universities and the National Final at the Palace of Westminster in London.
By linking together local schools, businesses, universities and other organisations, the programme is a platform for young people’s voices to be heard resulting in ripples of change flowing into businesses and communities from their Big Ideas.
Opportunities for Businesses
Opportunities for Schools
Our Big Ideas Programme Partners
students have participated in the Big Ideas Programme to date
%
of teachers said the Big Ideas Day encouraged them to be more creative in the way they tackled key issues like sustainability in the classroom
%
of business mentors believe the programme builds their organisation’s reputation in the local community
MEET THE TEAM
Sarah O’Conor
Big Ideas Programme Manager
Amy Ackroyd
Big Ideas Programme Coordinator
University & Other Supporters
Big Ideas Blog
Big Ideas Competition 2024 National Final: The Results
Our Big Ideas Competition 2024 National Final was incredibly special. Not only was it our 10th anniversary of the competition, but it was set against the backdrop of a General Election. Where we'd usually hold the event at the Houses of Parliament and be joined by a...
Announcing our Big Ideas Competition 2024 National Finalists!
Find out which teams will be joining us in London for the National Final of the Big Ideas Competition 2024!
North England Regional Final: University of Sunderland
Our final Regional Final for the Big Ideas Competition 2024 will be taking place at the University of Sunderland on Friday 24th May and is sponsored by Husqvarna. We’re excited to be joined by 10 teams from 4 schools in North England who will present their Big Ideas...
The Big Ideas Programme aligns with:
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