Blue Sky to Green Earth (BS2GE)

Blue Sky to Green Earth (BS2GE) was an inspiring STEM and sustainability programme delivered by 4wardFutures and funded through an STFC Spark Award. The project helped primary-aged pupils discover how curiosity-driven science can contribute to a greener future.

Designed for pupils aged 9–11, the programme introduced the idea of Blue Sky Questions – big questions driven by curiosity, imagination and exploration. Pupils learned how scientific discoveries that began as attempts to understand the universe have led to technologies that help monitor climate change, protect wildlife, improve farming, reduce pollution and support environmental sustainability.

The project was delivered by 4wardFutures in partnership with 10 volunteers from STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy, the Central Laser Facility (CLF) and RAL Space. Together, the team delivered 37 workshops to 383 young people aged 9–11 from schools across Knowsley, Liverpool and Chester, bringing cutting-edge science and engineering into primary school classrooms.

Throughout the programme, pupils explored major international research projects including the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), the ongoing High-Luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider, and the role of space exploration and satellite technologies in understanding and protecting our planet. They investigated how blue-sky research can lead to unexpected innovations that benefit society and the environment.

The programme combined hands-on activities, discussion, teamwork and expert presentations. Working in small teams, pupils developed their own Blue Sky Questions inspired by the scientific research they had explored. They considered how curiosity-driven discoveries could help address environmental challenges and then created and presented ideas showing how future science and technology might contribute to a more sustainable world. This process encouraged creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving.

By the end of the project, pupils had gained a deeper understanding of how scientific discovery can create positive change and how their own curiosity, creativity and ideas could help shape a better future for people and the planet.

Teacher Resources
Click here to download our free Blue Sky to Green Earth School Programme. This ready-to-use four-workshop resource for pupils aged 8–11 includes two pathways—Large Hadron Collider and Space Technology—helping young people explore how curiosity-driven science can create a better future.