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Category: Education

Montgomeryshire MP Champions CAT in Westminster Debate

Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr MP Steve Witherden has placed CAT firmly in the national spotlight during a Westminster Hall debate focused on the role of Science and Discovery Centres for the UK’s science and technology priorities.

The debate formed part of the Science Centres For Our Future campaign spearheaded by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres, which calls on Government to provide £19.5 million of match-funded investment to address urgent infrastructure risks and secure the future of these centres. Currently, Science and Discovery Centres (SDCs) are excluded from infrastructure funding available to museums and libraries – a gap that threatens their ability to continue inspiring and educating future generations.

Why Science and Discovery Centres matter

Across the UK, Science and Discovery Centres play a unique and irreplaceable role. They spark curiosity and inspire millions of visitors each year, including thousands of schoolchildren, helping to build public trust in new technologies and create pathways into science careers. These centres are also critical in tackling the UK’s STEM skills shortage – a challenge that costs the economy an estimated £1.5 billion annually.

Steve Witherden MP highlighted this during the debate, saying:

“SDCs are powerful but undervalued. They are beacons of sustainability,
education and innovation. With recognition and investment, they can
flourish – supporting national climate goals, inspiring future scientists and
engineers, and ensuring that science remains accessible to all.”

CAT’s role in a sustainable future

For over 50 years, CAT has been pioneering sustainability – combining cutting-edge research with world-class education to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon future. Our postgraduate degrees and professional training equip individuals with expertise in renewable energy, sustainable building, and environmental science – skills that are essential to achieving the UK’s net-zero targets and industrial strategy goals.

Steve Witherden MP spoke passionately about CAT’s unique contribution:

“CAT is truly the jewel in the crown of Montgomeryshire – a centre that has always been ahead of its time in pioneering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.

CAT’s impact reaches far beyond Mid Wales. Each year, we train hundreds of postgraduate students, deliver carbon literacy programmes to councils across the UK, and inspire thousands of schoolchildren through workshops and STEM engagement initiatives such as Bold Futures, which empowers young people to imagine and create positive visions for a sustainable future.

Later in his speech, Steve Witherden MP went on to explain that:

“For over half a century, the CAT has combined cutting-edge research with world-class education to accelerate the transition to a zero -carbon future.

It is not just a centre; it is a catalyst for change – locally, nationally and globally.“

A personal connection

Steve Witherden MP also shared his own deep connection to CAT:

“My connection with science centres – and in particular, Montgomeryshire
and Glyndŵr’s own Centre for Alternative Technology, commonly known
as the CAT – is deeply personal. It is, in fact, the reason I am here today
representing my constituency.

My father was the first in his family to go to university, where he studied Agricultural Economics. After graduating, my parents moved to Montgomeryshire in the 1970s and settled in Machynlleth. They were among the founding members of the CAT, one of the oldest science centres in the UK.”

He concluded with a powerful message:

“With proper recognition, urgent investment in infrastructure, and a long –
term capital renewal fund, the CAT and the other outstanding centres
across the UK can continue to ignite curiosity, expand green skills, and
unlock the full potential of UK science and technology for a healthy,
secure, and sustainable future.”

Looking ahead

The debate demonstrated strong cross-party and cross-nation support for Science and Discovery Centres. MPs from across the political spectrum speaking passionately about the importance of Science and Discovery Centres along and their own personal connections, and urged Kaniska Narayan, the Minister responding on behalf of the government, to work with the sector to ensure so they can continue inspiring future generations and supporting national priorities in science, technology, and sustainability.

Minister Narayan didn’t commit to any particular source of funding, but responded acknowledging the important role Science and Discover Centres play and that he had “heard loud and clear the concerns expressed about the funding resilience of science and discovery centres.”

You can watch the full debate here.

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January 14, 2026
Next Generation Earth: Empowering Young Voices
CAT’s Next Generation Earth projects kicks off with engagement in schools and an event at CAT exploring STEM careers and climate solutions.

At the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), we believe that a better world is not only possible but is already being built by the next generation. That’s why we’re proud to be part of Next Generation Earth, a UK-wide youth-led initiative supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and coordinated by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC).

This programme is designed to break down barriers to environmental science and empower underrepresented learners to shape a more sustainable future. CAT is one of nine science and discovery centres selected to deliver youth-led initiatives that reflect the unique characteristics of their regions.

What is Next Generation Earth?

Next Generation Earth is a research-based programme exploring why fewer young people are choosing to study or work in environmental science and what can be done to change that. Rather than simply asking why, the project engages young people through the lens of climate change, a topic that resonates deeply with their concerns and aspirations.

The focus is on underrepresented learners aged 12–14, including those from areas of multiple deprivation. Working with two Welsh schools and our community partner Reaching Wider, we’re creating a space where these young people can explore their interests, have their voices heard, and co-create a programme that reflects their needs and ambitions.

What’s happened so far?

The delivery phase has already begun with CAT’s Education Team visiting the schools involved to meet students and start conversations. We asked them:
- What do you know about climate change?
- How do you think it affects you locally?
- What changes would you like to see?
The responses were fascinating. Many students still see climate change as something distant such as floods in other countries or melting icebergs rather than something impacting their own communities. Through discussion, we helped them recognise local effects as well and to think about what could be done differently.

We also explored environmental science careers and discovered that most students had little idea of what roles exist or how these connect to the changes they want to see in the world. They haven’t yet made the link between their future careers and creating positive environmental change. As part of the initial evaluation, students took part in a postcard exercise, sharing their thoughts and pledges. Common themes included air quality and litter, highlighting the importance of local action.

What’s next?

On 12 January, the students will visit CAT for a hands-on day of practical activities and future visioning. In February, they’ll head to Bangor University’s Ocean Studies department to meet a professor and explore higher education pathways. These experiences aim to show that environmental science is not only relevant but full of exciting opportunities.

We’ll also involve CAT postgraduate students and Bangor University students to provide relatable role models and insights into green careers.

Why this matters

Climate anxiety is rising among young people, especially in early adolescence, a formative time when they begin to shape their life interests and career aspirations. Next Generation Earth aims to flip that narrative, giving young people the tools, confidence, and support to take action in their own communities.

By connecting environmental science with real-world relevance and personal empowerment, CAT hopes to inspire participants to take an active role in delivering the vision of Wales embodied in the Future Generations Act.

Looking ahead

The programme will culminate in a future community engagement event where young people will share their ideas and pledges with families, educators, and local stakeholders. This will lay the groundwork for a longer-term youth panel, enabling participants to continue their involvement and influence future programming at CAT.

At its heart, this project is about learner voice amplifying perspectives that are too often unheard and helping young people build the skills and confidence to shape their own futures.

Keep an eye on the CAT website or social media channels for updates and stories from the Next Generation Earth journey.

School Visits

Find out more about CAT’s work with schools and make an enquiry about bringing your class to CAT.

Learn More →
December 18, 2025
Protecting Our Planet Day 2025: Inspiring the Next Generation at CAT
This National Tree Week, CAT hosts POP25, an inspiring live-streamed annual event for schools, presented by the UK Space Education Office (ESERO-UK) at STEM Learning and in collaboration with the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency.

On 27 November, thousands of young people from across the UK came together virtually for Protecting Our Planet Day (POP25), an extraordinary live-streamed event for schools that’s designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and changemakers. This year, we’re proud that the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is the physical host location for this landmark annual event.

What is POP25?

POP25’s mission is simple yet powerful: to engage schools with the science and solutions that are helping to protect our planet. We urgently need skilled young people entering careers with the leadership and skills to continue exploring and implementing solutions to the climate and biodiversity emergency. Through live sessions, interactive activities, and direct links to research stations around the world, students will explore how climate change is being monitored and mitigated – from space missions to biodiversity conservation.

This year’s programme is packed with inspiring content including:
- Live link to ESA Mission Control to learn how Earth observation satellites track climate change.
- A deep dive into biodiversity protection, featuring producers of the BBC’s upcoming Kingdom series and conservation projects in Zambia.
- Live updates from the Sir David Attenborough research vessel as it journeys between Greenland and the Arctic.
- Connections to the Halley VI Antarctic research station and scientists studying ice sheets in Norway and Northumbria.
And that’s just the start. Every session is designed to show young people that science is not just about understanding problems but about creating solutions.

CAT Biodiversity Engagement Ranger, Sven Verbelen, chatting to POP25 presenters live from CAT.

Why CAT?

Hosting POP25 at CAT is a perfect fit. For over 50 years, CAT has been at the forefront of environmental education and practical solutions to climate change. Our unique location in the heart of Wales, surrounded by forests and renewable energy systems, offers an inspiring backdrop for a day dedicated to protecting the planet.

CAT’s role goes beyond providing a venue. We share the event’s core mission: to empower people with knowledge and skills to build a sustainable future. From our postgraduate courses to school visits and hands-on workshops, CAT is committed to nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders. POP25 amplifies this impact by connecting our work with global efforts, including cutting-edge space technology.

Living Wales at POP25

We’re thrilled that Professor Richard Lucas is part of the programme, presenting his Living Wales Project. This pioneering initiative uses Earth observation data to monitor and understand changes in Welsh landscapes – a perfect example of how space science and local action come together to protect ecosystems.

Professor Richard Lucas from Living Wales chatting to POP25 presenter Professor Suzie Imber

National Tree Week 2025

POP25 coincides with National Tree Week, the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, ran by the Tree Council. Forests play a vital role in absorbing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and combating climate change. CAT’s woodland setting and our commitment to sustainable land use make us an ideal host for a day focused on protecting the planet. By linking space-based monitoring with on-the-ground conservation, POP25 highlights how technology and ecology work hand in hand to safeguard our future.

Inspiring Careers and Futures

POP25 isn’t just about science – it’s about career possibilities for young people. Afternoon sessions will showcase 16 different career paths in sustainability and climate action, helping students see that protecting the planet isn’t limited to one discipline. Whether through engineering, data science, conservation, or creative media, there’s a role for everyone.

With nearly 200,000 students and over 10,000 educators signed up, POP25 was the biggest yet!

School Visits

Find out more about CAT’s work with schools and make an enquiry about bringing your class to CAT.

Learn More →
November 27, 2025
Inspiring, informing and enabling Green Careers at CAT
This Green Careers Week, we’re celebrating how CAT inspires, informs and enables impactful green careers.

As the climate and biodiversity emergency continues to shape our world, the need for skilled, passionate people in green careers has never been greater. This Green Careers Week, we’re exploring how the CAT helps people find their path into meaningful work that supports a sustainable future.

From sparking inspiration in young minds to equipping professionals with innovative skills, CAT’s work is rooted in a powerful mission to inspire, inform and enable humanity to respond to the climate crisis. For more than five decades, CAT has been a place where people come to explore bold ideas, launch meaningful careers, and connect with others working toward a more sustainable future

Inspire: Planting Seeds and New Ideas

Inspiration is often the first step toward a green career. At CAT, it begins the moment someone steps onto the site. Nestled in the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere Reserve in the hills of Mid Wales, CAT’s immersive natural setting is a living example of sustainable living in action set in a stunning wooded valley.

Visitors frequently describe the experience as transformative. Teacher John Ridler from Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall explains that while many students arrive with ambitions to pursue medicine, visits to CAT often broaden their horizons.

“A lot of our pupils come in thinking medicine is their likely path. But experiences like this inspire them to consider engineering – something they might never have thought was for them.”

John Ridler, teacher at Queen Mary’s Grammar School

Queen Mary’s now sees 15–20 students a year inspired to go on to study engineering at university.

Dr Dai Morgan, longstanding lecturer at the University of Cambridge, brings his group to CAT every year. Dai believes that the experience at CAT is a poignant moment of inspiration for his students.

“CAT offers something unique. It’s immersive and integrative-a real example of sustainability being worked out in real time. Being in that environment, around people who are doing things differently and showing what’s possible, creates space to reflect and reconnect with what really matters.”

Dr Dai Morgan, Lecture at the University of Cambridge

This sense of connection to nature, to community, and to purpose, is echoed in feedback from many young people’s visits. They describe the feeling of being “part of nature” during their time at CAT. That feeling makes them want to protect it.

CAT is more than a learning centre – it’s a community hub, a hive of action where people from all walks of life come together to imagine and create a sustainable future. Whether it’s a school group exploring renewable energy, a youth panel shaping climate action, or a volunteer discovering their passion, CAT helps people see themselves as part of the solution.

Inform: Developing Skills for a Sustainable Future

Inspiration is powerful, but it’s only the beginning. To turn passion into impact, people need knowledge, skills and confidence. That’s where CAT’s educational programmes come in.

CAT’s Graduate School of the Environment offers postgraduate degrees that blend academia with practical learning. Studying on one of seven postgraduate degrees helps students gain knowledge and networks to make a real difference in their chosen specialisms as they go on to have long and impactful green careers.

To date, over 2500 people have completed postgraduate awards at CAT. Students have gone on to make a real difference through a wide variety of careers and opportunities, from architecture and energy management to environmental policy and land management.

Graduates have gone on to launch innovative companies, lead sustainability initiatives, and shape policy across the UK and beyond. Their success stories are a testament to the power of education rooted in real-world application.

Clara Humphries came to CAT to study how she could integrate green building principles into real-world projects and now works as a Retrofit Project Manager at Retrofit West, where she applies the knowledge she learned studying at CAT daily.

“CAT gave me the hope and motivation to tackle complex climate challenges“

Clara Humphries, Graduate of our MSc in Green Building and Retrofit Project Manager

But CAT’s commitment to green careers goes far beyond higher education. Through our short courses, CAT provides hands-on training in everything from green building and renewable energy to woodland management and organic gardening. These courses are open to learners aged 16 and above and increasingly integrate with the Graduate School’s academic modules, creating a pathway from interest to expertise.

CAT also supports volunteers, many of whom describe their time at CAT as life-changing. CAT’s cohorts of 6-month residential volunteers not only work in practical roles managing CAT’s gardens and woodlands, they also undertake various training courses to equip them with essential skills for careers in land management. Through the training, mentorship and valuable experience gained during their time living and working with the CAT community, volunteers gain the confidence and skills to enter green careers, often discovering new passions along the way.

Ella Catherall, who recently finished 6 months of volunteering in CAT’s garden team, has been able to take the next steps in her Green Career thanks to the skills she learned at CAT. She is now embarking on a placement with the Adam Greathead Trust, where she will spend a year training in two renowned UK gardens.

People in careers that aren’t traditionally seen as ‘green’ can become climate leaders too! One of CAT’s most impactful offerings is Carbon Literacy Training, which equips individuals with the tools to become climate leaders in their workplaces and communities. Whether you’re a teacher, builder, policymaker or student, CAT helps you understand the science, communicate the urgency, and take meaningful action.

Engagement with young people remains central to CAT’s mission. The organisation provides curriculum-linked workshops, day and residential visits, and practical sustainability sessions for schools, colleges and youth groups. Within a new funded project at CAT called “Next Generation Earth”, a new Youth Panel is being developed to ensure young voices are embedded in CAT’s work and in community-based climate action.

Enable: Supporting further action across the network

Once people are inspired and informed, the next step is enabling them to make a difference, whether that’s embarking on a new green career or embedding sustainability into their existing career. CAT’s work doesn’t stop at education, it extends into innovation, collaboration and strategic leadership.

The Zero Carbon Britain Innovation Lab is a prime example. It delivers facilitated innovation processes that help organisations, councils and sectors address the climate and ecological emergencies. Drawing on systems thinking and futures design, the Lab enables collaboration across boundaries and translates sustainability ambitions into practical action.

To date, over 70 organisations and nearly 200 councils have benefited from CAT’s innovation support. Recent projects include:
- Growing into the Future: Supporting the growth of a resilient and economically sustainable horticulture sector in Wales through the LPIP project
- Dyfed Powys Food Resilience Scenarios Lab: Co-developing local responses to food system challenges across the region.
CAT’s membership network is another powerful enabler. It includes people at every stage of their green careers – from those just starting out to seasoned professionals and retirees. The annual Members’ Conference is a space for sharing experiences, learning from each other, and building collective momentum.

As a strategic leader in sustainability education, CAT plays a key role in shaping regional green skills development, working closely with the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership and other stakeholders to ensure Mid Wales is at the forefront of the green transition.

A Place Where Green Careers Begin

This Green Careers Week, we’re celebrating the many people who’ve found their way into green careers through CAT – students, volunteers, professionals, and changemakers. Their stories show that green careers aren’t just about jobs, they’re about making a difference, finding purpose, and helping shape a better future.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step, CAT is here to support you. From hands-on learning to strategic innovation, we’re proud to be part of the journey.

Want to learn more about CAT?

Explore our postgraduate courses, volunteering opportunities, or sign up to our emails to keep up-to-date with all the latest from CAT.
November 7, 2025
Steve Witherden MP visits CAT

Steve Witherden, Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, visited the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) today to learn more about the charities’ work sharing solutions to the climate and biodiversity emergency and CAT’s ambitious ‘Cynefin: Green Heart of Wales’ redevelopment project – a flagship initiative within the Mid Wales Growth Deal aimed at boosting green skills, innovation, and sustainability across the region.

It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Witherden to CAT and learn more about his long-standing connection with the charity. His father was an early CAT pioneer, moving to the CAT site in the early 1970s.

During the visit, Mr Witherden heard how the Cynefin project will create a world-class sustainable visitor experience alongside new facilities for postgraduate education, professional training, and essential skills development. These plans aim to position Mid Wales as a leader in low-carbon innovation, helping communities and businesses adapt to climate challenges while creating high-quality jobs in the green economy.

CAT’s Co-CEO Eileen Kinsman also highlighted the Association for Science and Discovery Centres’ campaign, Science Centres for Our Future, that calls for fairer access to funding for science and discovery centres across the UK. These centres play a vital role in inspiring people of all ages to engage with science, technology, and innovation – yet remain largely excluded from government funding streams available to similar cultural organisations.

Eileen Kinsman, CAT’s Co-CEO, said:
“Centres like CAT are essential for inspiring action and developing the skills needed for a zero-carbon future. By investing in both inspiration and innovation, we can deliver real benefits for communities, the economy, and the environment. It was a pleasure to share this vision with Steve Witherden MP and explore how we can work together to make it happen.”

The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss how CAT’s work aligns with the wider ambitions of the Mid Wales Growth Deal and the importance of continued support from government to ensure the success of the project.

Steve Witherden MP said:
“I was overjoyed to be back again at the Centre for Alternative Technology.

“I cannot overstate the depth of my connection to this amazing place. My father, an agricultural economist, moved here to be a founding member in the 70s. That is the very reason I am Welsh and by extension, the Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr.

“I am so proud to represent an area hosting one of the most forward-thinking institutions – always ahead of the curve – in Wales. In offering qualifications and courses too, it is the closest thing the constituency has to a university.

“Our species gravely needs to learn to respect the natural world. To that end, the CAT continues to lead the way. It is of huge value to the constituency, the region, and the world.”

CAT is a registered environmental educational charity and remains party-politically neutral.

For more information about CAT’s work and the Cynefin project, visit:
www.cat.org.uk

October 24, 2025
CAT at the Triumph of Art

As part of the National Gallery’s Bicentenary celebrations, The Triumph of Art – a nationwide project by artist Jeremy Deller – brought together institutions from across the UK to celebrate the role of art, culture, and civic life in shaping our communities. The Centre for Alternative Technology was proud to be a collaborator and exhibiting partner in this extraordinary event.

In Trafalgar Square, CAT’s presence was marked by a powerful architectural installation and a series of hands-on workshops, all rooted in sustainability, creativity, and community. The event offered a unique opportunity to showcase CAT’s ethos and the work of its students on a national stage.

“CAT were delighted to collaborate with Jeremy Deller on the Triumph of Art commission for the bicentenary of the National Gallery over the last year culminating in the day-long spectacular in Trafalgar Square.  It was inspiring to see the CAT students’ pavilion “Gorsedd”, bringing a palette of earth and Welsh slate from Llwyngwern Quarry to the city and to see the many hours of craft by the students and volunteers weaving willow come to fruition.  We also enjoyed facilitating charcoal drawing and earth building workshops and having the opportunity to talk with members of the public about CAT’s vital work providing skills for the future.” - Eileen Kinsman, Co-CEO of CAT

CAT Supporters Gathering

The day began with a morning gathering for some of CAT’s most longstanding supporters, offering a chance to connect, share updates on CAT’s work, and celebrate the occasion together. After a summary of the ‘Gorsedd’ build by students Jordan Hau and Brandon Roberts, guests were then escorted to the CAT exhibit in Trafalgar Square to explore the student build and workshops firsthand.

This special event was a moment to thank CAT’s supporters and showcase the impact of their contributions in enabling transformative educational experiences and public engagement.

“It was wonderful to see the variety of activities and people of all ages just having fun but learning at the same time from CAT’s activities. It was a highly entertaining, enriching and lively encounter with each and all CAT staff on the ground too. So encouraging to see so many young enthusiastic people too.” – CAT supporter

Procession

CAT students joined other collaborators in the Triumph of Art event for the Bacchanalian procession through Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, carrying the banner created for CAT by banner maker Ed Hall.

Sharing Skills and Inspiring Futures

Alongside the Gorsedd installation, CAT’s students and teaching staff hosted a workshop showcasing Rammed Earth as a sustainable building material and CAT’s education team facilitated a creative drawing space to imagine a sustainable future.

CAT’s education work is so impactful because we believe in the importance of seeing, developing and using practical solutions first hand. Inspiring people through hands-on work with materials or through imagining what a green future might look like is a key part of CAT’s group visits, volunteering and training.

Alongside our workshops, we were able to talk to attendees about CAT and our work sharing solutions to the climate crisis. It was a pleasure to talk with so many interested and enthusiastic people, many of whom were already aware of CAT or had visited in the past.

Rammed Earth Plinths

Inspired by the plinths of Trafalgar Square, visitors were invited to create miniature versions using rammed earth—a traditional and sustainable building technique used extensively at CAT. The activity was supported by Rescued Clay who are based in Park Royal in London, and supplied the clay used on the day.

“It was wonderful to be invited to be part of the day and supply CAT with clay for the rammed earth workshops. The clay was reclaimed from local construction sites, demonstrating how waste materials can be reimagined and reused “
Prashant Patel— Rescued Clay

Charcoal Visioning Workshop

Participants also took part in a visioning workshop, using charcoal made from willow offcuts from the Gorsedd build. The activity encouraged people of all ages to draw their visions of a positive future—one where humanity has risen to the challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises.

Simple drawing prompts and visual guides to the charcoal-making process helped make the activity accessible to all.

Gorsedd

At the heart of CAT’s contribution was  Gorsedd—a striking architectural installation designed and built by students from CAT’s ARB-accredited Part II Master’s in Sustainable Architecture. Developed during their Build module, in collaboration with Jeremy Deller, Mostyn Gallery in Llandudno, and the National Gallery.

“This has been an exciting, challenging and inspiring project to be a part of. The opportunity to get hands-on in such a supportive environment is exactly what I wanted from my Master’s at CAT.”
— Hannah Maxey, CAT student

Gorsedd (meaning “throne” in Welsh) draws on Celtic mythology, Druidic rituals, and the National Gallery’s wartime history. Constructed using Welsh timber, Somerset willow, slate from CAT’s Llwyngwern Quarry, and reclaimed plywood from ReCollective, the structure is a celebration of natural materials and collective effort. Students were supported by tutors, CAT graduates, and collaborators, including Momentum Engineering.

“We have been providing engineering support to the design of structures created during Build week for over 20 years and the Triumph of Art is one of the largest projects undertaken.”
— Richard Heath, Momentum Engineering

The build itself was a performative act, echoing traditional barn-raising techniques. The frame was raised entirely by hand in a choreographed display of teamwork and simplicity.

The Gorsedd structure and the workshops in Trafalgar Square were more than a one-day event—they were a celebration of what’s possible when we build together. The students behind the project have since formed  Studio CLAASH, a design and build collective that will carry this momentum forward.

Plans are already underway to bring Gorsedd back to CAT for an event, continuing to share a message of sustainable, community-driven change.

Visit CAT at Welsh events this summer

This summer, we will also be attending other festivals and events in Wales, sharing our work and connecting with attendees.

Come visit us 2 to 9 August at WCVA’s Voluntary Sector Hub at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham or if you attending Green Man Festival 15 to 18 August come say hello to us in Einstein’s Garden

August 1, 2025
Hattie’s CAT Story: Gaining Confidence in Conservation

We caught up with one of our ex-volunteers Hattie Jones to find out how her experience at CAT in 2019 has paved the way for her career in conservation.

Hattie joined CAT as a residential volunteer in 2019, just before the pandemic. With a background in zoology and a growing interest in conservation, she was looking to build practical skills – especially in woodland management.

“I’d just come back from two years in New Zealand,” she says. “I wanted to be somewhere in the UK with mountains and a strong sense of community. CAT felt like a good fit.”

Hattie volunteered with CAT’s Woodland and Water Team for just over six months. Her residential placement began with a short course in Sustainable Woodland Management, which gave her a solid introduction to the work ahead.

“We were straight into it – learning from local experts and getting hands-on in the woods.”

During her time at CAT, Hattie helped manage Coed Gwern, CAT’s owned woodland across the road in Eryri National Park, where she used hand tools, cleared paths, and took part in a range of seasonal tasks. She also had the chance to explore her own interests. “I was really into moths, so I set up some moth traps. Others were doing things like Japanese gardening or meadow surveys. It was a really supportive environment.”

The experience helped Hattie build confidence and develop new skills.

“Before CAT, I wasn’t sure how to get into the woodland sector. Volunteering gave me the experience and belief that I could do it.”

After leaving CAT, Hattie completed a chainsaw course with a group of fellow volunteers. That led to a part-time conservation role locally before moving to North Wales to become a ranger and tree nursery manager.

Her current role involves collecting seeds from local woodlands and growing them on for planting in upland areas.

“I’m growing trees to about four feet tall so they can survive grazing by sheep and goats. We’re also working on bringing back rarer species like Aspen.”

Aspen has become a particular focus. “There are only about 60 individual Aspen trees left in North Wales, and they can’t reproduce naturally because the male and female trees are too far apart. We’ve been hand-pollinating catkins – and last year we got the first seeded Aspen in the area in over 500 years.”

Looking back, Hattie says CAT played a big part in shaping her career. “It was such a buzzy place – full of people who wanted to make change. Being around others with the same energy and passion was really inspiring.”

She’s still in touch with many of her fellow volunteers, who’ve gone on to work in areas like regenerative farming, market gardening, climate justice, and ecological fieldwork. “It was a great time,” she says. “CAT gave us all a really strong foundation.”

To find out about CAT’s upcoming volunteer opportunities or to get in touch, visit cat.org.uk/volunteer.

July 11, 2025
Exploring sustainability and imagining a new future for Walsall Students at CAT

Each year, Year 7 pupils from Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall travel from the heart of the West Midlands to the hills of mid-Wales. As part of their school trip, they come to CAT to be immersed in nature, explore sustainability and take part in hands-on workshops.

For many, it’s a rare opportunity to spend time in such a rural, natural setting – surrounded by trees, fresh air and birdsong.

“You come somewhere like here and just getting to sit and listen to the birds, get the fresh air… they concentrate so much more,” says John Ridler, a teacher who has brought students to CAT every year since 2009.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The group of 27 pupils took part in CAT’s Wind Power Workshop and explored the Zero Carbon Britain trail – experiences designed to bring climate science and engineering to life.

“There’s only so much we as teachers can do inside the classroom,” John explains. “Coming here with experts in their fields, who can put a completely different spin on things, gives the students a much higher level of knowledge.”

The sessions are hands-on, practical, and packed with chances to get creative.

“They were all really focused on the wind turbine experiment,” John says. “Sarah, who led the session, delivered it in a way I couldn’t have. And because it was fun, they absorbed so much more.”

Opening New Pathways

While many students arrive with ambitions to pursue medicine, visits to CAT often broaden their horizons.

“A lot of our pupils come in thinking medicine is their likely path,” John says. “But experiences like this inspire them to consider engineering – something they might never have thought was for them.”

Queen Mary’s now sees 15–20 students a year go on to study engineering at university. While it’s difficult to trace that directly to a single trip, John believes the visit to CAT plants the seeds.

“If this is potentially a catalyst in getting them to look at engineering, then brilliant,” he says.

The Value of Place

At CAT, learning happens in context. The site itself, designed to demonstrate sustainable living, becomes part of the lesson.

“They come from a busy, noisy environment. Here, it’s calm. It’s quiet. They sense that, and they get a lot out of it,” John reflects. “It’s so important for them.”

For many of these young students, visiting CAT offers a new perspective on the environment, on learning and on what their futures might hold.

To find out more about CAT’s offer for visiting schools, universities and organisations or to make an enquiry, visit https://cat.org.uk/groups-learning/

July 1, 2025
Inspiring the Next Generation of Environmental Thinkers

Every year, hundreds of school students from across the UK visit the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) to see sustainable solutions in action.

For over four decades, CAT has been inspiring people of all ages to imagine and create a more sustainable future, but few schools can match the legacy of Solefield School in Kent.

An inspiring day out at CAT

Now in its 40th year, the school’s annual trip to CAT has become a much-loved part of the Year 7 curriculum, offering a chance to step out of the classroom and experience sustainability brought to life.

“Coming to CAT allows students to see sustainability in real life,” says Kevin Farmery, Head of Science at Solefield. “I can teach them all of this in the science lab, but here they get to see it come to life. That makes a real impact. They might forget a diagram or a definition, but a year later, they’re still talking about what they saw and did here.”

Kevin Farmery – Head of Science at Solefield School

From learning about renewable energy systems and low-impact building methods to exploring composting, water use, and energy conservation, students are introduced to real-world examples of how we can reduce our environmental impact and live more sustainably.

“We asked CAT to tailor the day to focus on key ideas like renewable energy, how buildings can retain heat, composting, and growing your own food,” Kevin explains. “The tour we had this year, led by Joel, was excellent. It really highlighted the practical ways people are reducing energy use in homes-like using 45cm of insulation to cut heating demand by a factor of ten. These are the kinds of ideas that stick with students.”

As well as a guided tour of CAT’s unique site, the students took part in a hands-on wind power workshop – connecting classroom learning with real-world problem solving. These interactive experiences are designed to spark curiosity and give young people the tools to think differently about the future.

The effects are long-lasting

“One student came back to me years after this trip to say it had inspired him to pursue sustainable engineering,” Kevin recalls. “He’s since gone on to study Sustainable Engineering at University and is now fully qualified and doing well in the field.”

The visit inspires teachers too. “Every year I come, I learn something new,” Kevin says. “And I take that back into the classroom, weaving it into how I teach. It also influences how I live. I’ve created three composting areas in my garden, grow veg, and fertilise using my own compost. That mindset has grown from my experiences at CAT.”

By providing a space where young people can see sustainable ideas in action and connect them to their own lives, CAT helps inspire the next generation of changemakers. With each visit, the ripple effects spread – to schools, homes, communities, and careers.

Bring your school to CAT

To explore how your school can benefit from a visit to CAT, including tailored tours and workshops any age class, visit cat.org.uk/groups-learning or email education@cat.org.uk.

June 28, 2025
CAT Sparks Real-World Inspiration for Global Sustainability Engineers

Each year, a group of international postgraduate students from the University of Cambridge swaps their lecture theatres for the living laboratory at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). We talked to Cambridge Lecturer Dr Dai Morgan about their recent visit.
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June 27, 2025