University of Manchester’s global science education impact recognised with double endorsement from UNESCO

The University of Manchester’s Great Science Share for Schools (GSSfS) campaign has been awarded UNESCO patronage for a second consecutive year.
The endorsement reinforces the programme’s significant role in inspiring scientific curiosity, inquiry, and global citizenship among young people and underscores its profound alignment with UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) values through inclusive and equitable quality science education and promotion of sustainable lifestyles.

Now celebrating its tenth year, the pioneering initiative empowers children aged 5-14 to explore and share scientific questions they are passionate about with peers, families, and communities worldwide. Topics relate directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, sparking inquiry on issues such as biodiversity, carbon reduction, and sustainable practices.

In 2023-24, the GSSfS campaign reached over 670,000 pupils in more than 3,500 schools, spanning 36 countries. Of these, 50% were in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.

Next year, the campaign seeks to be even bigger with young people responding to the theme ‘Connected Science’. Across a range of free resources teachers, pupils and whole schools are inspired to develop genuine awareness and engagement in global climate action.

Creator of GSSfS Professor Lynne Bianchi, Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility and Director of the Science and Engineering Research and Innovation Hub (SEERIH) at The University of Manchester, said: “Securing UNESCO’s patronage for the second year is a testament to the way in which so many people support GSSfS with the intention to include as many young people and teachers in asking, investigating and sharing scientific questions. We are proud to support a decade of positive change and promote key themes on global sustainability too.”

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General, UK National Commission for UNESCO, added: “We are delighted to grant UK National Commission for UNESCO Patronage to the Great Science Share for Schools campaign for a second time in 2025. Education, Science, and Communication & Information are three fundamental pillars of UNESCO’s global work, so it is great that the UK National Commission can support an initiative here in the UK that brings these together in such an imaginative and collaborative way. The GSSfS initiative aligns with UNESCO’s mandate of promoting knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other’s lives.”

SEERIH’s other campaign ‘Engineering Educates’, has also received UNESCO endorsement of its ‘Motion in the Ocean’ challenge, which has been recognised by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’).
The Ocean Decade is a global effort to promote transformative ocean science and aim to inspire actions that will preserve ocean health for future generations.

Newly launched in September 2024, “Motion in the Ocean” is one of eight challenges within the EPSRC Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) Network led by The University of Manchester. This has been designed to upskill teachers and pupils (7-14 years) in applying design technology, computing and science skills to find solutions to real-world problems.
“Motion in the Ocean” introduces challenges related to ocean sustainability and marine conservation through practical applications of engineering and design.

Professor Andrew Weightman, Programme Director for RAS, said: “The new robotics theme within Engineering Educates has taken our outreach to a new level. By working with Lynne and her team we now have a much stronger focus on how our research can inspire curriculum learning. We are really delighted that we can also support the Ocean Decade.”