Opportunities for Schools
The challenges faced by today’s younger generations can feel overwhelming: a climate in crisis, important developmental experiences missed due to the pandemic and an unstable jobs market. Big challenges need Big Ideas – and that’s where we come in.
We believe in the power of young people to face these challenges head on, and we can give them the tools they need in order to succeed.
Solutions for the planet
Our award-winning Big Ideas Programme begins conversations around the climate and sustainability issues and gives young people a platform to have their ideas heard. It supports young people in learning to work together and communicate effectively. It develops important STEM and wider employability skills that are needed in every job and introduces young people to the variety of careers that might be open to them.
How becoming a Big Ideas School Partner could add value to your students and teachers:
FAQs about the Big Ideas Programme
What is the Big Ideas Programme?
The Big Ideas Programme is a national STEM and enterprise programme for young people aged 11–14. It brings schools and businesses together so students can develop innovative solutions to real-world sustainability challenges while building confidence, teamwork and employability skills.
What is a STEM enrichment programme?
A STEM enrichment programme is an educational initiative that extends learning beyond the standard curriculum by giving students opportunities to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics to real-world challenges. STEM enrichment programmes often include hands-on projects, employer engagement, mentoring and collaborative problem-solving activities that help students develop technical knowledge alongside transferable skills.
The Big Ideas Programme is an example of a STEM enrichment programme that combines sustainability, enterprise and business mentoring. Students work with industry professionals to develop innovative solutions to environmental and social challenges while building confidence and career-ready skills.
Why is STEM enrichment important in schools?
STEM enrichment gives students opportunities to apply their learning beyond the classroom, helping them develop practical skills through hands-on, real-world experiences. By exploring science, technology, engineering and mathematics in engaging ways, students build confidence, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that support both academic achievement and future careers.
High-quality STEM enrichment also helps schools inspire greater interest in STEM subjects, strengthen careers education and connect students with employers and role models. These experiences broaden students’ understanding of the opportunities available in STEM industries and encourage them to explore a wider range of future pathways.
The Big Ideas Programme supports STEM enrichment by combining sustainability, enterprise and employer engagement. Students work with business mentors to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges, building both technical knowledge and essential employability skills.
How can schools improve careers education?
Effective careers education combines classroom learning with meaningful experiences beyond the classroom. Schools can strengthen careers education by working with employers, offering project-based learning, providing encounters with role models from different industries and helping students understand how their skills connect to future careers.
The Big Ideas Programme supports careers education by connecting students with business mentors, challenging them to solve sustainability issues and demonstrating how STEM, enterprise and innovation are applied in the workplace. This helps schools provide meaningful employer engagement while inspiring young people to explore a wide range of career pathways.
What are the benefits of connecting students with local businesses?
Connecting students with local businesses helps bridge the gap between education and the world of work. Through meaningful employer engagement, students gain first-hand insights into different careers, understand how classroom learning applies in real workplaces and develop valuable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
For schools, partnerships with local businesses can strengthen careers education, support employer engagement objectives and provide authentic learning experiences that inspire students. For businesses, working with schools offers an opportunity to support young people, share industry knowledge and help develop the skills needed for future careers.
The Big Ideas Programme creates these connections by pairing students with business mentors who support them as they develop innovative solutions to real-world sustainability issues. This collaboration helps students gain practical experience while building lasting relationships between schools and local employers.
Why is sustainability education important in schools?
Sustainability education helps students understand environmental, social and economic challenges while developing the knowledge and skills needed to create positive change. It encourages critical thinking, responsible decision-making and innovation, preparing young people to contribute to a more sustainable future.
The Big Ideas Programme brings sustainability education to life by challenging students to develop solutions to environmental and social issues. Working alongside business mentors, students apply STEM knowledge, enterprise skills and creative thinking to tackle genuine sustainability challenges while building confidence and career-ready skills.
Who can take part in the Big Ideas Programme?
The programme is designed for secondary school students aged 11–14 (typically Years 7–9). Schools across the UK can participate, with students working alongside trained business mentors throughout the programme.
How does the Big Ideas Programme work?
Students begin with a Big Ideas Day where they explore sustainability challenges and generate ideas. They then work in teams through the rest of the school year, with support from teachers and business mentors, to develop their ideas into business plans before entering the Big Ideas Competition. All Big Ideas submitted are reviewed and the best go through to the Regional Finals which take place around the country. The winners from the Regional Finals go through to the National Final, held at the Houses of Parliament in London.
What skills do students develop through the Big Ideas Programme?
Students develop STEM knowledge alongside transferable skills including:
- Creative problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Leadership
- Enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Presentation skills
- Environmental awareness
These skills help prepare young people for further education, employment and future careers.
What role do business mentors play?
Business mentors work with student teams throughout the programme, sharing their professional experience, providing feedback and helping students develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. Mentors also help students understand careers within STEM and sustainable industries.
Can participating schools earn a CREST Award?
Yes. Students who take part in a Big Ideas Day are eligible to receive a CREST Discovery Award from the British Science Association, recognising their participation in STEM learning and problem-solving activities. Those who go onto the take part in the Regional Finals are eligible to recieve a CREST Bronze Award.
What makes the Big Ideas Programme different from other STEM programmes?
Unlike many STEM programmes, the Big Ideas Programme combines sustainability, enterprise and employer mentoring. Students do not just learn about STEM—they apply their knowledge to real-world challenges, work with businesses and develop ideas that address environmental and social issues through a national competition.