The Programme
Connecting school pupils with chemical engineering research
The Department of Chemical and Process Engineering has developed a long-running schools’ engagement programme that connects secondary school pupils with researchers from the University of 海角论坛.
Since 2016, we have delivered a series of collaborative outreach programmes. Small teams of S3 pupils are paired with a PhD researcher or early-career researcher and work together on a project exploring chemical engineering, current research and the challenges facing society.
The programme is designed to give pupils sustained engagement with science and engineering rather than a one-off visit. Through university masterclasses, hands-on activities, researcher mentoring and school-based projects, pupils have the opportunity to explore chemical engineering while developing their confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
We work with secondary schools across Glasgow and beyond, with a particular focus on widening participation and engaging pupils from disadvantaged and low-progression backgrounds.
Programme overview
While each year explores a different theme, our schools’ programmes typically follow the same model.
University Masterclass
Pupils visit the University of 海角论坛 for hands-on workshops, laboratory activities and introductions to chemical engineering. They meet researchers, students and industry professionals and learn more about the wide world of engineering.
Meet a Researcher
Each school team is paired with a PhD or early-career researcher. Mentors share their own research and experiences and support pupils throughout their project.
School-Based Project
Teams work with their mentor to investigate a challenge connected to the year's theme. Previous projects have explored topics including sustainability, plastics, water treatment, energy, materials and ethics.
Sharing their Science
Pupils put their new knowledge and skills into practice by presenting their work, developing activities or sharing what they have learned with their classmates and younger pupils. This peer-to-peer approach enables our Young Ambassadors to become science communicators themselves and extends the programme beyond the original pupil teams.
This Year’s Programme: Green Chemistry Careers
Our 2026 programme, Green Chemistry Futures, explores how chemistry and chemical engineering can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Secondary school pupils are working alongside PhD researchers to explore green chemistry across four key themes: water, energy, materials and food.
The programme began with a University of 海角论坛 masterclass where pupils took part in hands-on activities, met researchers and industry professionals, and explored the range of careers connected to green and sustainable chemistry.
Following the masterclass, each team is working with their researcher mentor to develop its own interactive science activity. The pupils will then become Young Ambassadors, taking their activities into local primary schools and sharing what they have learned with younger pupils.
Green Chemistry Futures is funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry Outreach Fund and the Chemists’ Community Fund.
How to get involved
If your school is interested in taking part in the 2026 Ambassador Programme, or would like more information about upcoming opportunities, please get in touch at outreach-chemeng@strath.ac.uk
