Materials Science Award
School groups in Year 7-9 are invited to design, test, and create new materials, enhancing their Science, Maths, and Design & Technology knowledge, whilst discovering their inner Engineer.
Programme details
This is a multi-part programme. All schools are to complete Stages 1 and 2 for students to receive their Materials Science Award at the Celebration Event and the University of Leeds.
Programme overview
Stage 1: In-School Workshops
Delivered on your preferred date, these 1 to 1.5 hour long workshops involve designing and testing new materials, whilst exploring their uses in everyday life. Facilitated by Engineering Education Outreach Fellows, students will have the opportunity to ask questions about university and related careers.
All materials and resources are provided. We offer a range of activities for you to choose from:
- Ceramic Creations, exploring plastics and polymers
- Water Filtration Experiment, discussing sustainable design
- Surgical Instruments, looking at product design
These activities are all suitable for Year 7-9 audiences.
Stage 2: On-Campus Events
Schools must attend one of the following 2 campus events.
Alternative Materials - Wednesday 26th November 2025
Students are invited onto campus to take part in a series of practical activities specialising in Chemical & Process Engineering, Medical Engineering and Physics. In addition to meeting academics, students will receive a campus tour and meet current undergraduates studying Engineering.
Sustainable World - Tuesday 10th February 2026
Students are invited onto campus to take part in a series of practical activities specialising in 3D printing and recycled materials. In addition to meeting academics, students will receive a campus tour and meet current undergraduates studying Engineering.
All resources and materials for both campus events will be provided.
Stage 3: Celebration Event
All schools and students who participated in one in-school workshop and one campus event will receive a certificate of achievement. Students are invited to the University of Leeds to reflect on their engagement over the past year, and to collect their certificates.
Booking Your Place
FAQs
What are the planned activities?
There are three stages to the Materials Science Award:
- Stage 1: In-School Workshops
- Stage 2: On-Campus Events
- Stage 3: Celebration Event
What are the requirements for the event?
Participants must be in Year 7-9. All schools and students must commit to participating in the In-School Workshop and attending one Campus Day.
All visitors must abide by our health & safety procedures. This event is usually oversubscribed, so please only request the number of places you can fill.
Where does the event take place?
Our Engineering Education Outreach Fellows will visit your school to deliver a talk. The on-campus events will be held on the University of Leeds campus.
Risk Assessments
The risk assessment will be emailed to you along with arrival information, once your places have been confirmed.
Background Information
The STEM Outreach team works closely with academics from The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, a centre for advanced materials and research innovation.
The University of Leeds is a founding partner in the Sir Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials and aims to be a world-leading centre for advanced materials research and commercialisation. The Institute's work at Leeds is based at the Bragg Centre.
The Institute’s remit is to support the UK manufacturing base and reduce the time to take new materials from invention to market.