Skewb Climate’s Role in Developing an Education Roadmap for Hydrogen and Green Energy Awareness
As the target for net-zero grows closer, the UK is actively leading initiatives that champion sustainable practices and low-carbon solutions. One of the most promising prospects for a cleaner future is hydrogen energy. However, it’s potential depends not only on advancing technology and infrastructure but also on building public awareness and understanding from a young age. Skewb Climate is excited to be leading a ground breaking project to develop the UK’s first education roadmap for hydrogen and green energy, engaging educational institutions and key stakeholders in creating a “1-stop shop” for future energy learning.
Why This Education Roadmap Matters
The transition to a net-zero requires broad societal understanding and support, and education is key to achieving this. By introducing young people to hydrogen and green energy concepts early on, we encourage environmental consciousness and spark interest in careers that will support the future green economy. This roadmap will also enhance public perception of hydrogen and green energy, addressing common misconceptions and concerns through accessible, accurate information for students, educators, and parents. We hope this initiative will not only support the current educational landscape but also position hydrogen and other low-carbon solutions as viable, impactful pathways toward a sustainable future.
Our Role in Leading the Project
Skewb Climate is privileged to be at the helm of this education roadmap project. Our role involves designing a strategic plan that brings together educational institutions, Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), industry leaders, and green energy experts to create a comprehensive, impactful resource for schools, colleges, and universities. In this capacity, we’re conducting in depth research, gathering stakeholder insights, and facilitating collaboration to ensure the roadmap addresses the unique needs of students, educators, and communities. As part of our approach, we’re building on established stakeholder relationships while also reaching new audiences and creating fresh partnerships that will strengthen the project’s impact.
Working alongside all the GDNs in the UK, we’re leveraging each network’s insights and resources to create a unified approach that will streamline hydrogen and green energy education. The roadmap will be designed to communicate the role of future gaseous fuels, including hydrogen, in achieving net-zero goals, and to attract students to careers in sustainability, engineering, and other green sectors. The process of building this roadmap is structured into four carefully planned stages to ensure it is both comprehensive and responsive to stakeholder input.
The Four Stages of the Project
The development of this roadmap is organized into four distinct stages, each building on the findings and feedback of the previous phase:
Stage 1: Understanding the Current Landscape In the first stage, we aim to gain a holistic understanding of the current educational landscape regarding hydrogen and green energy awareness. This involves analysing existing educational initiatives and assessing the current knowledge gaps within schools, colleges, and universities. We will review how other industry bodies and educational organisations are tackling the net-zero skills gap. This comprehensive landscape analysis allows us to pinpoint areas where hydrogen education is lacking and where strategic interventions could make the most impact
Stage 2: Establishing Key Stakeholder Groups With the initial research almost complete, we are preparing for Stage 2, identifying and connecting with our key stakeholder groups. These include schools, colleges, STEM and green energy educational organisations (such as the STEM Foundation), and working groups in hydrogen education, such as the Hydrogen UK working groups on Hydrogen Education and HydEx. We are holding focused interviews with industry experts to gather insights into what they believe is essential for students to learn and to better understand the resources they feel would be most effective. By engaging these stakeholders early, we can ensure their voices shape the roadmap to meet real-world needs and inspire the next generation to support green energy.
Stage 3: Defining the Role of GDNs in Content Development and Deployment The next stage will involve solidifying the role that GDNs will play in developing and delivering hydrogen content to educational institutions. GDNs are in a unique position to offer industry-specific insights and resources that can enhance hydrogen education. During this phase, we will explore whether GDNs should create new content, partner with existing educational programs, or both. The goal is to maximise GDN involvement in a way that strengthens and sustains educational outreach on green energy topics. Stage
4: Final Recommendations for Content and Delivery Methods The fourth and final stage will bring together all insights and data gathered from the previous stages. We will make specific recommendations for content, tailored delivery methods, and potential uses of emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to create engaging and memorable learning experiences. These recommendations will be designed to increase engagement, excitement, advocacy, and retention of hydrogen and green energy knowledge across the UK’s educational spectrum.
Key Milestones and Engagements with Stakeholders
A significant milestone in the project was reached on October 25, when we hosted a virtual event presenting our initial findings from Stage 1 to representatives from all the GDNs. This session provided a platform for us to share our early landscape analysis, gather valuable feedback, and discuss how GDNs could contribute to the roadmap’s success. The event was an important step in aligning our goals and ensuring that all parties involved are fully invested in creating an impactful educational resource.
Our next major milestone will be an in-person event on December 18 at The Woods, where we will bring together GDNs, industry stakeholders, and representatives from the education sector. This gathering will mark the beginning of the collaborative planning phase, where we will start to outline the roadmap in detail. With the combined expertise and perspectives of attendees, we aim to define a roadmap that is both comprehensive and adaptable to the evolving needs of students and educators.
Between these key events, we are conducting one-on-one interviews with industry experts, educators, and energy professionals. These focused interviews are essential for capturing diverse perspectives and ensuring that our roadmap recommendations are practical and actionable.
Building a Legacy Through Collaboration
We’re thrilled to be working closely with the GDNs, building on existing relationships, and creating new connections that expand Skewb Climate’s reach to a wider audience. This project represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of green energy education, empowering students, inspiring families, and equipping educators with the tools to make complex energy topics accessible and engaging.
By the end of this project, we hope to establish a lasting educational resource that not only supports current hydrogen and green energy initiatives but also paves the way for more robust, informed, and skilled support of the net zero economy. We’re proud to lead this effort and look forward to seeing the roadmap inspire a new generation to become advocates, innovators, and leaders in sustainable energy.
By Donna Davies
Donna Davies is Digital Education and Skills Lead at Skewb. To speak with her about this topic in more detail, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.
