The Materials Processing Institute recently welcomed 50 teenage innovators as part of an initiative focused on leveraging innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) to address global sustainability challenges.
These 14- to 17-year-olds were participants in the AFS Global STEM Innovators programme, a prestigious five-week full-scholarship course. The programme aims to equip future leaders with essential skills and knowledge while promoting diversity within the STEM fields. Organised by AFS Intercultural Programs, a global non-profit educational exchange organisation, the scholarships are funded by bp.
The scholars were drawn from regions including Teesside, Darlington, Aberdeen, Newport, Cardiff, and Swansea. Upon completion of the programme, they will continue to benefit from mentorship, networking opportunities, and avenues for further academic and professional development.
The Middlesbrough-based Materials Processing Institute, a national hub for research and innovation in advanced materials, industrial decarbonisation, the circular economy, and digital technologies, played a pivotal role in this initiative. As a member of the Foundation Industries Sustainability Consortium (FISC), the Institute is involved in the UKRI-funded EconoMISER programme, which drives the scale-up of sustainable technologies across the metals, cement, chemicals, glass, and paper sectors.
During their visit to the Institute, the Global STEM Innovators experienced firsthand the application of advanced technologies and innovative concepts. Their schedule included mentorship sessions with the Institute’s staff and a series of engaging and interactive activities.
The visit also underscored the Institute’s dedication to fostering STEM education. The organisation supports initiatives such as the annual Milman Scholarship, aimed at students in the Tees Valley, and the Year in Industry programme, offering valuable work experience to young people.
Sean Reilly, Director of Program Development at AFS Intercultural Programs, commented: “We are proud to expand the AFS Global STEM Innovators in the United Kingdom, fostering curiosity, building mutual understanding, and encouraging intercultural dialogue among diverse and talented youth eager to create a positive impact in the world. We are grateful to collaborate with institutions like the Materials Processing Institute, which provide critical insights into future technologies and the STEM skills necessary to advance global sustainable development goals.”
Terry Walsh, CEO of the Materials Processing Institute, added: “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to inspire and mentor these bright young minds. Their enthusiasm and curiosity are contagious, and by engaging with them today, we believe we are helping to shape the innovators of tomorrow, who will lead the way in making the world a more sustainable place.
“I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the dedicated colleagues at the Institute who generously shared their time and expertise. Their ability to simplify complex scientific concepts and make them enjoyable has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on these young innovators.”
Among the mentors were Aimee Hughes, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, the Institute’s 2024 Millman Scholar and a Mathematics student at the University of Manchester, and Susan Ojo, a former Year in Industry student now studying Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University.