Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
🏫 A new nationwide fusion programme is set to spark children’s curiosity into the technology that could provide limitless clean energy and turn the dream of a low carbon world into a reality.
The primary school scheme, called STEP Forward, launched by the University of Sheffield and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UAEA), aims to inspire the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become future fusion pioneers.
Fusion is the chemical reaction that powers the Sun, which scientists are trying to replicate on a smaller scale here on Earth to provide clean, safe, limitless energy. Fusion power plants are currently in development, including the UK’s first - STEP Fusion - at a site in North Nottinghamshire, which is aiming to make the technology a reality by 2040. However, like many areas within engineering, there is currently a shortage of skilled engineers and scientists in the sector to help drive the technology forward.
The new programme will be rolled out in primary schools throughout the country to capture children’s imagination around fusion energy, science and technology in the hope more will consider becoming an engineer or scientist later in life.
The national rollout follows a pilot in 21 primary schools close to the STEP Fusion site, delivered in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council.
🏫 A new nationwide fusion programme is set to spark children’s curiosity into the technology that could provide limitless clean energy and turn the dream of a low carbon world into a reality.
The primary school scheme, called STEP Forward, launched by the University of Sheffield and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UAEA), aims to inspire the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become future fusion pioneers.
Fusion is the chemical reaction that powers the Sun, which scientists are trying to replicate on a smaller scale here on Earth to provide clean, safe, limitless energy. Fusion power plants are currently in development, including the UK’s first - STEP Fusion - at a site in North Nottinghamshire, which is aiming to make the technology a reality by 2040. However, like many areas within engineering, there is currently a shortage of skilled engineers and scientists in the sector to help drive the technology forward.
The new programme will be rolled out in primary schools throughout the country to capture children’s imagination around fusion energy, science and technology in the hope more will consider becoming an engineer or scientist later in life.
The national rollout follows a pilot in 21 primary schools close to the STEP Fusion site, delivered in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council.
