Protect Our Future, a climate education programme of the 1851 Trust, and Open Planet a global visual library for creating positive change, are thrilled to announce Lenzie Academy, a secondary school in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland as the winner of the “Use Your Voice” challenge.
The Use Your Voice campaign aims to inspire young people to engage with climate education, understanding the issues, and empowering them to take action using communication skills. The Use Your Voice resources are perfect for eco clubs, youth groups, or as part of the science curriculum. They are free to download on the Protect Our Future website. Launched at COP 26 the competition invited students globally to create and submit videos that showcase their passion for tackling climate change. Schools were given the resources to tell their own climate action stories, giving students the tools and knowledge to speak confidently about climate change and drive positive action with their own communities.
Winning students from Lenzie Academy
The S2 students from Lenzie Academy secondary school captured the hearts and minds of judges with their passionate short films on climate action created using footage from Open Planet, a free online library of over 12,000 powerful and inspiring film clips showing environmental issues and solutions. Open Planet is free to use for charities, schools and scientists wanting to tell their own stories and inspire climate action.
Lenzie Academy will invest the £1,000 prize in an educational initiative focused on championing sustainability and biodiversity by building an apiary to host beehives on their school grounds. “We encouraged our pupils to enter this competition to drive positive change in our community. We felt the ‘Use Your Voice’ concept was very empowering and helped highlight the impact an individual can have.
The project provided an innovative and engaging way for them to learn about climate change, allowing learners to explore environment and social impacts while developing creative solutions for a sustainable future,” Heather Ellis, teacher Lenzie Academy.
“Its vital young people have the tools, access and opportunities needed to creatively and confidently tell their climate stories. We hope the brilliant films produced for this competition inspire a new wave of young storytellers to use their voice for our planet.” – Emily Renshaw-Smith, Executive Director of Operations for Open Planet.
“I think young people need to get involved because the world will be left to them. The problems we face now could get worse if we do not work together. I wanted to use my ICT skills to encourage others to get involved in fighting the climate crisis. It is a global problem, and we need to work together to combat it,” Matthieu age 13, Lenzie Academy.
Protect Our Future is a climate education programme from the 1851 Trust, an educational charity that supports young people and teachers through free to access sport-inspired STEM and climate education. Protect Our Future works with elite athletes including Eliud Kipchoge, Chemmy Alcott, Hussain Alireza, and Hannah Mills who are using their voice to inspire climate action and drive behavioural change to support the next generation to take meaningful action.
“I wanted to be heard, and I wanted to help in the fight against climate change. I think it is important that the younger generations use their voices to spread awareness to help combat the climate crisis and help fix the mistakes of the past,” Callum age 13, Lenzie Academy.
A recent survey by 1851 Trust and environmental charity Hubbub revealed more than half of children (51%) are worried about what the planet will be like in the future, with 70% saying they do not feel equipped to teach about climate change effectively. The Protect Our Future education programme serves as a resource for educators, helping teachers support their students in developing essential skills in climate storytelling and science communication. By integrating the Use Your Voice resources into the curriculum, educators are giving students an invaluable opportunity to explore how their actions and voices can influence the future, and inspiring young people to feel confident in using their voices to discuss climate action.
The 1851 Trust STEM and climate education programmes connect digital resources, in-person events and career pathways, empowering young people regardless of background or gender to become the innovators of the future and create success in STEM and Green skill careers. “We want young people to feel empowered to be part of the climate conversation by giving students a platform to express their views. Not only does this competition support the students in developing skills to speak confidently about climate change, but it also encourages them to take real action within their communities,” Jo Grindley CEO 1851 Trust.
To find out more about the Use Your Voice challenge and get your school involved, visit Protect Our Future.
13th November 2024, London, United Kingdom: The 1851 Trust and Athena Pathway in collaboration with Cobham and Ultra Electronics (“Ultra”), are proud to announce the release of the Cobham-Ultra STEMCrew Roadshows Impact Report 2024. This report highlights the roadshow’s success, with 98% of participating students expressing an increased interest in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers following the events. This demonstrates the importance of initiatives addressing the UK’s STEM skills shortage, which is anticipated to cost the economy up to £120 billion by 2030.
The comprehensive report details the significant outcomes and wide-reaching impact of the roadshow, with the organisers now wanting to work with the government and its Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to facilitate partnerships between the private sector and educators that encourage Key Stage 3 children to consider STEM careers. Ensuring we have enough STEM educated future innovators is critical to drive economic growth and support the UK to meet its net zero goals.
Fronted by Athena Pathway’s principal, double Olympic Gold medallist Hannah Mills OBE, the roadshows delivered engaging and interactive sessions, students were inspired by real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and math inspired by the Athena Pathway America’s Cup sailing team. The day was designed to inspire young people, challenge stereotypes, and empower them to make informed career choices. The roadshows were delivered by the 1851 Trust, who harness the power of sport to inspire the next generation of problem solvers, providing free digital STEM and climate education programmes linking science to real world challenges that make STEM accessible to all.
Engaging more than five hundred students across London, York, Southampton, and Oxford, these findings underline the crucial role that programmes like the roadshows play in inspiring a diverse and skilled workforce for the future economy. This aligns with recent research by EngineeringUK, which shows that students who participate in one or more STEM career activities are over three times more likely to consider a career in engineering. This partnership highlights the benefits of engaging young people from 11-14 during this crucial period before GCSE’s, which is critical to ensuring students choose subjects that allow them to follow a STEM pathway for the future.
These sessions mark a major step towards addressing the challenges facing the UK’s workforce and supporting national economic growth. Engineering and technology jobs are expected to grow faster than any other sector by 2030, yet the UK STEM sector is projected to face a shortfall of around 173,000 workers. Initiatives like the STEM Roadshow are essential in bridging these gaps and promoting a more inclusive and skilled workforce. That is why the organisers are urging further government support for STEM activities going forward.
“Bringing STEM education directly to students through real-world applications and interactive experiences has the power to ignite interest and confidence in fields they may not have considered before,” said Athena Pathway women’s team principal and double Olympic gold medallist Hannah Mills OBE. “Our impact report demonstrates that access to quality STEM education can open doors and inspire passion.”
Shonnel Malani, Chairman of the Board of Cobham and Ultra Electronics, stated: “We are proud of the strides our collaboration with Athena Pathway and 1851 Trust has made in inspiring young people to explore STEM subjects. These grassroots events represent an essential next step in addressing the UK’s STEM talent shortage and motivating British school children to develop valuable STEM skills, so we would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with government on scaling up opportunities like this.”
Jo Grindley, CEO of the 1851 Trust said: “We have been really pleased at the positive impact the roadshows showed for all the students that joined us, and how sport can inspire. Our sessions focus on problem-solving solving, critical thinking and teamwork, with hands on learning using the power of sport to create real world context that they relate to and understand. It’s critical for our economic and climate goals that as many students as possible realise that they can enjoy success and thrive in a STEM career and become the innovators of the future”.
We encourage stakeholders, educators, and community members to review the findings and join in advocating for greater incentives and an accreditation scheme to build a strong, sustainable future powered by STEM.
• Cobham-Ultra and the 1851 Trust to deliver STEM roadshows across the UK to promote science in schools. • Double Olympic gold medallist Hannah Mills OBE and Paris Olympic kite surfing gold medallist Ellie Aldridge join sessions with students. • The roadshows bring STEM to life through the power of sport – creating a day in the life of an America’s Cup sailor. • The roadshows will visit four UK cities and host over 500 young people ages 11-14.
The 1851 Trust, in partnership with the British Women’s and Youth Americas Cup team’s major partner UK engineering and technology companies Cobham and Ultra Electronics (“Ultra”), has launched a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) roadshow initiative. Through its programme STEMCrew, the 1851 Trust uses athletes and professional sports to inspire youth through STEM and climate learning.
On Monday, September 16th, 120 students aged 11-14 from schools in south west London (Teddington School, Tolworth Girls’ School, Orleans Park School, Lady Eleanor Holles School) participated in the latest roadshow event at Lady Eleanor Holles School. The roadshow leverages professional sailing’s real-world context and inspiration to engage students in STEM and showcases diverse career opportunities. Joining the students were Athena Pathway women’s team principal and double Olympic gold medallist Hannah Mills OBE, and Athena Pathway women’s team member Paris Olympic kite surfing gold medallist Ellie Aldridge.
Partnering with Cobham-Ultra, two of the world’s leading innovators in aerospace and marine technology, which together employ over 600 engineers in the UK, has enabled the STEMCrew roadshows programme. This partnership is a natural fit, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation and excellence with Athena Pathway entering teams with the aim to win the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup and retain the UniCredit Youth’s America’s Cup for Great Britain in Barcelona this Autumn. The free sessions focused on empowering youth to make informed career decisions, challenge STEM stereotypes, and boost participation, confidence, and contribution in classes. Developed by 1851 Trust’s expert teaching team with feedback from Athena Pathway’s sailors and Cobham-Ultra engineers, the key stage 3 curriculum included interactive sessions on coding, optimising physical performance, and understanding force and drag. Students were invited into the world of the America’s Cup, where teams compete on foiling boats at speeds over 100kph, making it the world’s most technologically advanced sailing competition.
Physics lessons came alive as students designed the most aerodynamic boat, testing each design in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Technology’s importance was highlighted through Sphero balls, with coding skills required to navigate the America’s Cup course in Barcelona. Students particularly enjoyed an inspiring session on STEM careers, which featured personal journeys of Britain’s Youth and Women’s America’s Cup team members, demonstrating where STEM education can lead in sports. For the last decade, the 1851 Trust has proudly delivered free STEM and climate education resources and roadshows for 8-16 year olds across the UK. Over 40% of UK secondary schools utilise the award-winning resources through their digital education platforms STEM Crew (www.stemcrew.org) and Protect Our Future (protectourfuture.org).
Shonnel Malani, Chairman of the Board of Cobham and Ultra Electronics, stated: ““Our collaboration with Athena Pathway and 1851 Trust on the roadshow programme has been driven by the aim of using the wonders of sailing to bring STEM education into the classroom, and it was great to see this in-person at the London event today. Through our sport-led activities, we hope to spark curiosity and enthusiasm among 11–14-year-olds across our UK-based roadshows, which is inspired by the real-life experiences of the Women’s America’s Cup and Youth America’s Cup. This partnership builds on our £5 million pledge to leading higher education institutions, which allows the opportunity for students from underrepresented groups to pursue an education in engineering. This announcement is focused on inspiring the next generation to consider studies and a career in STEM-related fields, as we ultimately look to help the UK build the skilled workforce of the future.”
Hannah Mills, Athena Pathway co-founder, Team Principal and Helm, stated: “Everyone in the team is passionate about supporting the next ¬generation, across multiple fields. Our partnership with Cobham Ultra will showcase the science and engineering that goes into this sport, and the breadth of opportunities for STEM careers available to young people that we hope will inspire the scientists and engineers of tomorrow.”
Jo Grindley, 1851 Trust CEO, said: “Our education roadshows deliver positive, long-term impacts on the education and careers aspirations of young people inspired by STEM. We want to engage the next generation of innovators through free interactive, curriculum-linked workshops that illustrate the links between sport and the world science, technology and engineering and the opportunities within STEM and Green skills careers.”
A world first, the Impact League tracks the positive actions SailGP teams take to reduce their overall footprint and accelerate inclusivity in sailing
The British team will lift the coveted Impact League trophy in Season 4, after placing third in Season 3 and second in Season 2
The team was commended for its work on climate education for youth, renewable energy, gender equity and making the marine industry more inclusive
Emirates GBR CEO Sir Ben Ainslie said the win was “testament to the team’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and using the power of sport to inspire and educate the next generation”
The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team has been crowned winners of the Season 4 Impact League, a second championship which tracks the actions teams make to reduce their carbon footprint and increase inclusivity in sailing. The team’s CEO Sir Ben Ainslie said the win showcased the team’s dedication to sustainability after placing second and third in the Impact League in the two previous Seasons. The British crew’s victory marks the third new Impact League champion in as many seasons for the parallel podium to the racing Championship.
Hannah Mills, strategist of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Luke Parkinson, flight controller of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Nick Hutton, grinder of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Neil Hunter, grinder of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Giles Scott, driver of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Iain Jensen, wing trimmer of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, and Hannah Diamond, strategist of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, pose for a photo with the SailGP Impact League trophy ahead of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, USA. Thursday 11th July 2024. Photo: Jed Jacobsohn for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP
Sir Ben Ainslie, Emirates GBR CEO said: “Winning the Impact League is testament to the team’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and using the power of sport to inspire and educate the next generation. After placing second in the first Impact League Season and second last year, we are proud to reach the top spot this Season. This win highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing environmental challenges. Athletes and sports teams have a responsibility to use their platform to drive positive change and raise awareness about climate issues. By advocating for sustainability, they can help protect our future.”
The British team has rounded off a hugely impactful season on and off the water to lift the highly coveted trophy and secure prize funds for their purpose partner, The 1851 Trust’s climate education programme Protect Our Future. Throughout the season, teams were judged against four Focus Areas – Climate Action, Accelerating Inclusion, Race to Zero Waste, and Breaking Boundaries.
Emirates GBR’s Focus Area Submissions:
Race to Zero Waste (Waste Reduction): In collaboration with the 1851 Trust and Protect Our Future, Emirates GBR hosted 1,750 students at SailGP Events for education on climate change and how they can reduce their waste to be more sustainable. The science-based education resources created by Protect Our Future are free to use and available globally online, enabling schools to become climate hubs.
Accelerating Inclusion (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion): Created an internship programme with The Greig City Academy, and inner-city London school, to make careers in the marine industry more accessible. Worked with the school and young people to identify and breakdown the barriers of entry to create a long-term, financially supportive programme. The first intern was Kai Hockley, an 18-year-old from Tottenham, London, who has joined Emirates GBR at five SailGP events around the world.
Climate Action (Carbon Reduction): Designed, created and installed a bespoke portable renewable energy installation with Low Carbon. The 38 solar panels and two micro wind turbines produce enough power to take Emirates GBR’s base off-grid at events and help power other teams. They then created a Blueprint to support other sports teams in industries adopt renewable energy.
Breaking Boundaries (Gender Equity): Created highly ambitious and committed pathways for athletes Hannah Mills and Hannah Diamond, on and off the water. Supporting Mills in her ambition to become a SailGP Driver and Diamond in her physiotherapy career. Mills and Emirates GBR CEO Sir Ben Ainslie also launched Athena Pathway, a development programme for female and youth athletes to widen the talent pool for SailGP. The team was also commended for showcasing gender equity off the water, with a 50/50 gender split in its senior management team.
Hannah Mills, strategist of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Luke Parkinson, flight controller of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Nick Hutton, grinder of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Neil Hunter, grinder of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Giles Scott, driver of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Iain Jensen, wing trimmer of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, and Hannah Diamond, strategist of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, pose for a photo with the SailGP Impact League trophy ahead of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, USA. Thursday 11th July 2024. Photo: Jed Jacobsohn for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP
The team placed third in the Race to Zero Waste focus area, second in Climate Action and then sealed the deal on the Impact League top spot by coming first in the fourth and final focus area, Breaking Boundaries.
Emirates GBR Strategist Hannah Mills OBE, said: “We are so proud to be crowned winners of the Impact League. The whole team has worked extremely hard to not only make positive changes ourselves, but also inspire others to take climate action too. Across the season we’ve achieved some amazing things with our Purpose Partners, The 1851 Trust’s climate education programme Protect Our Future and Low Carbon, from educating 1,750 children at SailGP events on climate action to taking our team base off-grid with our renewable energy installation. We are looking forward to defending the Impact League trophy next season with even more exciting and innovative projects.”
Roy Bedlow, Chief Executive of Low Carbon and supporter of the 1851 Trust said: “This Impact League victory comes from taking bold moves, along with the team’s daily commitment to sustainability. Together, we are showcasing what is possible when elite sport teams and business work together on climate solutions.”
Today we celebrate Earth Day, for the last 10 years we’ve been inspiring and empowering young people around STEM learning and to understand their role in tackling climate change and shaping a brighter future for our planet.
The call for an independent expert review on climate education in the UK is resounding, as highlighted by Cambridge University Press and Assessment, who cited climate education’s undervaluation and underrepresentation in the UK curriculum.
According to a Teacher Tapp survey, a significant portion of secondary teachers feel they lack adequate time and resources to teach the issue effectively. There is an overwhelming call from education leaders for the current curriculum in the UK to adapt to the growing needs of the next generation. A recent survey of 1000 young people by the British Science association (BSA) found that 68% of 14-18 year olds felt that climate change education should be included across all subjects and would welcome the opportunity to learn more about climate change in schools.
In response, our climate education program, Protect Our Future, is designed to support schools and teachers in addressing this gap in the curriculum. At the 1851 Trust, we advocate for an innovative approach to science-based education, utilizing the context of sport to link theory with real-world application.
Collaborating with world-renowned athletes and teams, such as the All Blacks and Eliud Kipchoge, our digital resources provide comprehensive support for climate education and STEM learning for students aged 8 to 16. Best of all, our resources are freely accessible and endorsed by leading experts in both science and sports.
Creates a generation capable of making big leaps forward for the future.
Breaks down barriers to careers that rely on STEM skills – in particular careers that will create solutions to secure the future of the planet.
We want to empower young people to make a difference, to use their voice and be part of the climate conversation. By teaching STEM and climate education in tandem we support young people with knowledge to understand the concepts behind climate change, and the skills to address consequences and challenges we face in the future.
“One of the biggest risks of meeting our global climate goals is having enough STEM-educated future innovators,”
said Jo Grindley, Acting CEO of The 1851 Trust.
STEM education paves the way for the next generation to bridge the skills gap in the green sector, aligning with the UK Government’s vision of a structural shift in the economy, which anticipates 440,000 green jobs by 2030. The 1851 Trust is committed to uniting sports, education, and business to tackle the STEM learning deficit and inspire the innovators of tomorrow.
Find out more about Protect Our Future, register for free climate education resources and enter our Use Your Voice challenge to win £1000 to support climate education in your school – https://protectourfuture.org/use-your-voice/ Together, let’s empower the next generation to become informed stewards of our planet’s future.
Butterfield has partnered with Emirates GBR SailGP Team’s Purpose Partner, the 1851 Trust, as the Official Bermuda Impact Partner for their Protect Our Future schools programme taking place alongside the Bermuda SailGP event this coming May. Together they will deliver climate education lessons for local schools with a $10,000 Butterfield x Protect Our Future Climate Action Grant on offer.
Launched in 2014 by Sir Ben Ainslie and supported by HRH Princess of Wales as its Royal Patron, the 1851 Trust is a specialist education charity that harnesses the power of athletes and sport to inspire young people globally through STEM learning and climate action. The Trust’s climate education programme Protect Our Future equips young people and educators with the skills and knowledge to understand climate science and take positive action. Since the programme started, climate education lessons have been delivered at SailGP events across the globe, inspiring over 1000 young people to use their voice and tell their own climate action stories.
During the Bermuda SailGP event this May, sailors from the Emirates GBR SailGP Team will work with young people in the local community on climate science knowledge and the importance of climate action, empowering them to use their voices to drive change within their own community.
As part of the programme, a $10,000 Butterfield x Protect Our Future Climate Action Grant is on offer to schools in Bermuda. The grant will be awarded to a chosen project that engages the community around sustainability issues and channels young people’s passion for local environmental issues into tangible actions, inspiring others to follow the lead. All schools are invited to apply for the grant, including primary, secondary, public, and private institutions, and entries can be submitted as a whole school, a class or an eco-club. The judging panel will include Butterfield representatives and Sir Ben Ainslie from Emirates GBR SailGP Team. To find out more, visit: https://protectourfuture.org/butterfieldclimateactiongrant/
“We are delighted to be working with the 1851 Trust, the Purpose Partner of Emirates GBR SailGP Team, as the Official Bermuda Impact Partner for Protect Our Future, a programme which is very much aligned to Butterfield’s own sustainability framework values. With the climate action grant, and as an Official Partner of the Bermuda SailGP event itself, we hope to make a positive impact both on and off the water, ” A Butterfield Spokesperson
“The Butterfield x Protect Our Future Climate Action Grant is an exciting initiative to empower and equip young people in Bermuda with the knowledge and skills to tell their own climate action stories, enabling them to speak confidently and take action on climate change within their own community. As a team, we very much look forward to being back in Bermuda this May and working together with our partners to deliver maximum impact for the community.”
1851 Trust ambassador and Emirates GBR SailGP Strategist Hannah Mills.
SailGP is an international sailing competition that features high-performance F50 foiling catamarans competing on a global circuit around the world. The world’s most exciting race on water returns to race on Bermuda’s Great Sound on May 4th and 5th, SailGP is the only sports league in the world to have a podium for sport and the planet, with teams competing to win the Impact League which tracks the positive action they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint and boost inclusivity in sailing.
Launched as part of Energy Day at COP28, Low Carbon and Emirates GBR’s Portable Off-Grid Power Blueprint provides a manual for sports teams and industries to integrate renewable energy technologies into their operations and tread lightly on the planet.
Global renewable energy company Low Carbon and the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team have called on sports teams around the world to switch to renewable energy to tackle the climate crisis.
As world leaders, policy makers and environmental experts gather at COP28 in Dubai for its Energy Day, Low Carbon and Emirates GBR launched a first-of-its-kind Portable Off-Grid Power Blueprint to encourage other sports teams and industries to adopt renewable energy into their operations. Sportspeople hold huge influential power, and by taking proactive action to tread lightly on the planet and incorporate renewable energy, they can inspire people across the globe to do the same.
The Blueprint provides organisations with the knowledge, information and contacts needed to integrate renewable energy into their operations. Low Carbon and Emirates GBR decided to create the blueprint due to the success of the bespoke solar and wind installation developed as part of their partnership. The installation, that consists of 38 solar panels and two micro wind turbines, travels around the world to Sail Grand Prix events with Emirates GBR and has taken the Team’s operations off-grid, while also producing enough energy to power other SailGP Teams. It has created 1,376kWh of clean energy across the first five events of SailGP Season 4,which is equivalent to removing 400kg/CO₂.
The Portable Renewable Installation has created 1,376kWh of clean energy across the first five events of SailGP Season 4,which is equivalent to removing 400kg/CO2.
The installation was designed by Low Carbon’s engineers working in partnership with the Emirates GBR Team and is made up of solar panels totalling up to 16kW. This has the potential to provide enough clean energy to power nearly 13,000 fridge-freezers for a whole day. The Emirates GBR SailGP Team and Low Carbon partnered in January 2023 as the two entities wanted to harness the power of sport and athletes to inspire positive change on a global scale. The Portable Off-Grid Power Blueprint is the next step in the partnership and will enable other sports teams and industries to make use of readily available technology and join the fight against the climate crisis.
Hannah Mills OBE and Sir Ben Ainslie announce Athena Pathway squad in the race to win the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup and retain the Youth America’s Cup for Britain.
Mills reunites with Saskia Clark, 8 years after winning Olympic gold together in Rio 2016.
Twelve strong squad share a resume of 6 Olympic and 22 World Championship medals.
British tech innovator Cobham-Ultra announces sponsorship of Athena Pathway.
Cobham-Ultra STEM Education Program to promote science in schools in collaboration with Athena Pathway’s charity partner, the 1851 Trust.
Announcement welcomed by Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Rt. Hon Michelle Donelan MP.
Hannah Mills OBE and Sir Ben Ainslie have today announced the Athena Pathway squad of sailors that, entered through Challenging Club the Royal Yacht Squadron, will seek to make history by winning the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup and retaining the Youth America’s Cup for Britain.
The team will be supported in this challenge by leading global aerospace and maritime technology innovator Cobham-Ultra, in a continuation of the firm’s extensive investment in UK engineering skills and Cobham’s provision of ground-breaking satellite apparatus in the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race.
Athena Pathway was launched in August 2022 by Mills and Ainslie, the world’s most successful Olympic sailors, with the aim of fast-tracking development in high-performance sailing and bringing diversity into the sport and the UK marine industry more broadly. The Puig Women’s and Youth America’s Cups, taking place alongside the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona in September and October 2024, are a central focus for the Pathway, with the first-time inclusion of a women’s event and the renewed emphasis on supporting the next generation representing major progress for the World’s oldest sporting trophy in achieving gender equity and raising the sport’s profile for young people.
Over 300 applications were received for Athena Pathway’s Cup squad, with an intensive 18-month trials process, comprising on-water and simulator-based analysis, used to assess the hopefuls’ abilities to adapt to the unique skillset required to sail at speeds of up to 100kph in an AC40, the highly technical and data driven foiling monohull which will be used in the Women’s and Youth regattas.
This process was led by Olympian and former Royal Naval Officer Penny Clark, who has extensive experience coaching the British Sailing Team from youth to podium level, and Olympic 49er bronze medallist Chris Draper, an America’s Cup veteran with participations spanning multiple roles, including helmsman for Luna Rossa for AC34 and tactician and wing trimmer for Softbank Team Japan for AC35.
As Athena Pathway’s Sailing Programme Manager and Head of Performance respectively, a key focus for the Clark and Draper was designing a trials process comprehensive enough to reflect the “strength and depth” of the initial pool of applicants. Beyond looking for “proven winners” and athletes who had demonstrated “enormous potential” at varying stages of their careers, the human machine interface of the simulator provided hugely valuable insight into sailors’ capacities to practically apply their theoretical foiling knowledge. The ability to “communicate and stay calm in high-stress situations”, Draper said, was also pivotal.
Mills noted that selection was “a very difficult decision due to the immensely high standard of the sailors who applied”, but that the process offered an exciting glimpse into a bright future for British sailing:
“It’s great to see the level of talent coming through in the UK and Athena Pathway is focused on supporting and developing this talent both on and off the water – with the longer-term aim of inspiring the next generation into, and through, the sport of sailing.”
With a shared resume of 6 Olympic medals and 22 World Championship medals, the 12 strong squad also cements the reunion of one of sailing’s most successful competitive partnerships, with Mills and her 470 crew Saskia Clark set to race together again for the first time since winning Gold in Rio, 2016.
Clark commented: “Very excited is an understatement. Hannah and I had a great Olympic career together and I’m looking forward to reuniting, taking all the learnings from our Olympic experiences and applying them into a broader team environment in a new class of boat”.
Hannah Mills
The other selected athletes include Tokyo Olympic Silver medallist Anna Burnet, who is set to represent Britain at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Burnet is not alone in this double selection, with Ellie Aldridge, Saskia Tidey and Freya Black also selected to race in both the Olympics and the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup competitions. Also joining the team is Mills’ Emirates GBR SailGP teammate and experienced offshore sailor Hannah Diamond, who has previously competed in the Volvo Ocean race and Rolex Fastnet. The final six Athena Pathway picks are Nick Robins, Matt Beck, Alex Hughes, James Grummett and Hattie Rogers.
With the majority of the team’s training to date having taken place on the simulator, preparations are due to intensify over the coming months, aided by the arrival of Athena Pathway’s AC40 in Barcelona. The British senior AC Team, of which Ainslie is Team Principal and Skipper, will continue to play an active role in supporting the development of their female and youth counterparts through facilitating upskilling opportunities within their AC40 two-boating programme. Upskilling is also a focus off the water, with several members of Athena Pathway’s shore crew, including Boat Captain Sophie Heritage and Electronics Technician Suzy Peters, currently working amongst Ainslie’s team.
Mills is confident that the team has what it takes to win in the Autumn and hopes that the campaign will provide a platform to further Athena Pathway’s goal of inspiring positive change, and the next generation, in sailing and beyond:
“It’s an incredible milestone for our sport. These athletes represent a new era of inclusivity and excellence in competitive sailing”.
Beyond a shared commitment to the perpetual, innovation led pursuit of excellence synonymous with the America’s Cup, the goal of inspiring the next generation will sit also at the core of Athena Pathway’s partnership with UK-based technology front-runner Cobham-Ultra.
Building on the firm’s £5 million pledge to support academically talented students from underrepresented groups in accessing top-tier engineering educations, the collaboration will see the launch of a nationwide schools’ programme in conjunction with Athena Pathway’s charity partner, the 1851 Trust. The programme will leverage the real-world context and inspiration of professional sailing to educate and engage students in STEM subjects, with the aim of broadening horizons, opening up career paths and driving forward values of diversity and inclusivity in these fields. Shonnel Malani, Chairman of the Board of Cobham and Ultra Electronics, stated:
“We are delighted to back Britain’s bid to win the first-ever Women’s America’s Cup and retain the Youth America’s Cup. We are also excited to use the partnership to create excitement about STEM in schools across the country by connecting the marvels of sailing to schoolwork. This partnership builds on our £5 million pledge to leading higher-education institutions, which allows the opportunity for students from underrepresented groups to pursue an education in engineering. Ultimately, as we look to inspire the next generation to consider studies and a career in STEM-related fields, we are helping build the skilled workforce of the future in the UK.”
This announcement was welcomed by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, who stated:
“Since my department was formed, time and time again I have heard how skills is one of the key tenets to Britain’s innovation success story. That is why I am delighted to support this partnership. The programme of activities, focused on supporting and encouraging the next generation to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics studies will undoubtably lead to many of them ultimately pursuing careers in these important sectors.”
Speaking on an immensely exciting year ahead for Athena Pathway, Ainslie said:
“We couldn’t be prouder of what Athena Pathway stands for – giving youth and female sailors more opportunity in our sport. We have selected a high calibre squad and to have someone like Hannah leading them on and off the water is incredibly inspiring. We will certainly be setting our expectation high as we look ahead to the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup.
“An innovative company like Cobham Ultra is the perfect partner, and big thank you to Shonnel and his team for supporting us and our vision with the 1851 Trust. We look forward to taking this challenge on together as we build and grow Athena Pathway.”
Protect Our Future resources set to equip children and educators with skills and knowledge to understand climate science
Education charity calls for content and funding partners to help future generations take action on climate change
Sir Ben Ainslie and Hannah Mills OBE add their voices to call for businesses, local authorities, schools and scientists to join forces with 1851 Trust
Climate and sustainability education are soon to become part of the school curriculum, yet young people and teachers alike are feeling ill-equipped and powerless to play their part in the vital action needed to tackle the climate emergency. In response to this, the education charity 1851 Trust has today declared its ambition to help 1 million young people take action to protect nature, people and the planet through its new Protect Our Future platform.
The announcement comes as new research1 amongst 11-16 year-olds commissioned by 1851 Trust and environmental charity Hubbub reveals that more than half of children (51%) are worried about what the planet will be like in the future. However, the research also found that almost a third (31%) of 11-16 year-olds say they are unclear on what measures they can take to be more environmentally friendly, which is acting as a barrier to them taking action. Only a quarter feel climate change is something they can fix, while 14% said they don’t feel like their actions will make a difference.
Teachers are feeling similarly at a loss as to what they can do to support learning in this area, with 70% saying they do not feel equipped to teach about climate change effectively.2
The Protect Our Future platform aims to inspire and help young people to understand their role in tackling climate change, empowering them to become independent thinkers and problem solvers. The appealing resources for young people and teachers will be free to use, rigorously researched and packed full of science-based knowledge, inspiration and practical actions, so they can take the lead in climate conversations and take action to help shape a more positive future for the planet.
Protect Our Future is a collaboration between 1851 Trust and forward-thinking young people, schools, universities, brands and charities. It will provide a more holistic education experience, with an emphasis on out of the classroom learning. A pilot programme in Hull is bringing together 13 secondary schools, in partnership with Reckitt and Hull City Council, to work together over the next 18 months to help accelerate low-carbon projects to meet Hull’s net zero ambitions. The pilot was launched on 14 March, with COP26 President Alok Sharma MP and Hannah Mills OBE, the most successful female sailor in Olympic history and 1851 Trust supporter, joining students in a packaging recycling workshop.
Now the charity is calling for more partners to support the expansion of the Protect Our Futureprogramme to other areas of the UK and to accelerate the development of much needed resources for teachers. This call to action is being supported by Sir Ben Ainslie, Hannah Mills OBE and the Great Britain SailGP Team ahead of the final SailGP event of season in San Francisco. SailGP isthe first global climate-positive sporting league, where the teams compete for victory both on and off the water and the battle is on to win the Impact League, a first of its kind sporting competition where each team is assessed on the action they take to reduce their impact on our planet.
The Great Britain SailGP Team aims to use its sporting platform to play their part in the vital action needed to tackle the climate emergency. Change will only be achieved through collaboration and the British team will use their influence and voice as they compete across the globe to support this ambitious target, naming their new-look flying F50 boat Protect Our Future. Its inspiration taken from the reindeer cyclone, a spectacular phenomenon of nature that sees the herd come together to form a moving circle to protect their young and vulnerable.
Olympic sailor and environmental campaigner, Hannah Mills OBE said: “Our planet is at a tipping point and young people are the key to protecting its future. We are not doing enough to empower young people. We need to go beyond the climate headlines and equip them with science-based knowledge and understanding.”
Four-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Ben Ainslie added: “Protect Our Future responds to this need by providing young people with science-based knowledge to enable them to take the lead in climate conversation. Our goal is to use our sporting success to inspire young people to Protect Our Future and the planet.”
Ben Cartledge, CEO of 1851 Trust said: “Young people are key to protecting the future of our planet, yet our research has shown they’re angry, they’re worried and they are not clear on what action they can take that will make a difference. Protect Our Futureaims to empower both young people and their teachers – giving them the knowledge, skills and voice to speak with confidence about climate change and sustainability.
“We know from our experience of developing science-based resources which are used by over half of UK secondary schools, that young people are inspired by real people who aren’t just talking theoretically.
We are applying this approach to make sure the resources for Protect Our Future inspire real action to tackle climate change. We would love to hear from potential content and funding partners to help us grow the platform and develop new events, resources and content for young people, parents and teachers.”
The 1851 Trust is a game-changing education charity working to raise science capital across society through inspirational context-based learning. The charity is chaired by Dame Louise Makin and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge is its Royal Patron.
The 1851 Trust was launched by Sir Ben Ainslie and Sir Keith Mills in 2014 and is named after the first year of the Americas Cup race. STEM Crew, the charity’s transformational education programme designed to engage young people in STEM subjects through the power of sport, is used by 50% of secondary schools across the UK. Content and funding partners for the STEM Crew programme have included SailGP, The FA, Henri-Lloyd, AQL, Garfield Weston Foundation and Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
The vision of Protect Our Future is to empower young people everywhere with science-based knowledge to protect our future. The platform is set to launch in June 2022.
We’re looking for an Event Operations Executive to join our team on a 6-month fixed term contract.
Role:Event Operations Assistant Reporting to:Programme manager Location:Flexible with regular travel to Portsmouth and event locations Salary:£25,000 per annum Annual leave: 25 days pro rata Hours:6 months fixed, Full time
Background The 1851 Trust is a game-changing specialist education charity working to raise science capital across society through inspirational context-based learning. We have already taken our education programmes www.stemcrew.org into half of secondary schools and created unique learning experiences for thousands of young people in some of the most deprived area of the UK. Our recent success and high-profile supporters have built up exciting new opportunities. This is a fantastic role to help us deliver content to new communities of young people and educators across the UK and globally as we continue our STEM Crew work and grow our new programme focused on supporting positive action.
We are a small team with a committed Board of Trustees passionate about working with young people and increasing opportunities for them in the future. We are seeking someone with energy, the ability to flourish in dynamic working environment and a commitment to excellence. In return, we offer you exciting opportunities for personal development and the support of colleagues committed to delivering outstanding learning experiences for young people.
Role purpose We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative operations assistant to deliver our new programme and face to face activities at roadshows across the UK delivering outstanding education opportunities.
You will have responsibility for planning and delivery of workshops and sessions at events, building strong relationships with our partner organisations and educator communities throughout the roadshows. You will evaluate the benefits and impact of the events and report to the Programme Manager.
Key responsibilities
Develop and manage event delivery at a variety of locations traveling to each venue as part of the delivery team.
Support with, or take the lead with delivering activities to young people at events.
Effective prioritisation skills, deadline-driven, excellent organisation and planning skills.
Being a confident communicator with young people and educators.
Sourcing and collaborating with delivery partners for events.
Help with the planning and delivery of evaluation for engagements.
Ensure excellent participation with responding to the changing needs of the communities we work with.
Updating event invites and managing the events inbox.
Working with colleagues to create interesting ways to engage participants and share social stories from activities to demonstrate impact and outcomes for young people.
Organisation of other internal and external meetings including booking meeting rooms, venues, arranging food and accommodation and taking minutes as required.
Supporting the Programme Manager with the administration of project delivery.
Compiling data and liaising with schools and partner organisations.
Other duties as reasonably required by the line manager.
What we need
Proactive and confident in using own initiative and prioritising workloads.
Experience or understanding of schools, education, sports and/or outdoor activities desirable.
Awareness and understanding of GDPR and working with sensitive information.
Able to apply creative thinking and problem-solving.
Strong networking skills.
Good IT, particularly database, skills.
Demonstrable experience within a similar role.
Strong written and verbal communication and excellent attention to detail.
We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users; therefore, all applicants are expected to have an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding best-practice.
How to apply Please send a CV and covering letter, which explains what you will bring to this exciting new role, to education@1851trust.org.uk. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 1st April 2022.
Interviews for short-listed candidates will be arranged as soon as applications are received, and the role may be offered to a successful candidate before the deadline date.
