A Royal Society Science Community Programme, 2026 to 2029
Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists brings primary schools and STEM professionals together to investigate real climate change and sustainability questions, right on pupils’ doorsteps.
Over three years, 25 primary schools across South Yorkshire will each be partnered with a STEM professional from a local university or industry. Together, teachers and their STEM partners will plan and run hands-on investigations in curriculum time, exploring questions that matter to their school and community. How clean is the air outside our school gates? Could our roof power the school with solar panels? Where does the heat escape from our building? What lives in our school grounds, and how could we help it thrive?
Teachers lead the learning. STEM professionals bring real-world expertise, help pupils make sense of their data, and show children that science is something people like them do. Along the way, pupils build their enquiry skills: asking questions, collecting and analysing data, and sharing what they find.
What makes it different
- Long-term partnerships. Schools and STEM professionals work together across three years, not just for a one-off visit, so the relationships and confidence grow over time.
- Real science, real places. Every investigation is rooted in the school’s own building, grounds and local area.
- Built into the curriculum. Investigations link to working scientifically, maths and geography, so they enrich teaching rather than adding to it.
- A community, not just a project. Schools and STEM professionals join a growing network with shared CPD, resources and celebration events where pupils showcase their findings.
- Support to go further. Participants get help to apply for Royal Society Partnership Grants, so the work can carry on beyond the programme.
Investigation themes
Air quality, renewable energy, energy efficiency of school buildings, flood risk and sustainable drainage, and biodiversity in school grounds.
Building on success
The programme builds on our Royal Society seed-funded pilot (2024 to 2026), where 25 primary teachers and 25 STEM professionals worked together on climate investigations across South Yorkshire.
Get involved
We are now recruiting for the programme, which starts in January 2027. Please register your interest by Friday 6 November 2026.
- Primary schools: Community Science Grants – school recruitment
- STEM professionals: Community Science Grants – STEM Professionals
Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists is led by the Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University and funded by a grant from the Royal Society and the Julia Rausing Trust.
Contact: Lee Jowett, l.jowett@shu.ac.uk