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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!