Greenpower Education Trust has published its 2025 Impact Report, revealing how schools across the UK are using its engineering challenge to counter falling science uptake and strengthen the pipeline into STEM careers. With 10,000 students taking part and teams active in every county, the report highlights a year in which schools saw measurable gains in engagement, confidence and subject interest.
The findings come as national data continues to show declining participation in physics and engineering pathways. Against this backdrop, the report’s headline figure stands out: 98% of Greenpower participants reported increased interest in STEM. Teachers attribute this shift to the programme’s hands‑on, real‑world engineering tasks, which help students grasp concepts that can feel abstract in traditional lessons.
Greenpower CEO Barnabas Shelbourne said:
“This year’s findings show what we see at every event: young people discovering confidence, purpose and joy through engineering. Greenpower may start with building a car, but it often leads to so much more.”
A practical STEM pathway beginning in primary school
One of the programme’s distinctive strengths is its early start point. Greenpower engages pupils from Key Stage 2 through to higher education, giving schools a structured, age‑appropriate progression route that supports long‑term STEM development.
Teachers report that the challenge strengthens learning across Maths, Science and Design & Technology, with students applying curriculum content to real engineering decisions. Many schools now use Greenpower to enrich or extend their curriculum, particularly where they are seeking alternatives to traditional classroom‑based STEM delivery.
A meaningful response to the STEM skills gap
The report highlights Greenpower’s role in widening participation in engineering, particularly among groups under‑represented in the sector. Four in ten participants in 2025 were girls, far above national averages for physics A‑level entries and engineering pathways. Many credit the programme with shaping their future choices.
Former participant Lizzie Craven, now a Manufacturing Production Engineer at Renishaw and a Greenpower trustee, said:
“Wiring a car at age ten and working as part of a team made engineering feel exciting and accessible.”
Employers consistently emphasise the need for work‑ready skills alongside subject knowledge. The report shows significant gains in teamwork, problem‑solving, resilience and communication.
Former participant David Cullimore, now working in technology‑focused IP law, said:
“I can’t overstate the importance Greenpower has had on my career, my confidence and my skills.”
Improving engagement, attendance and school culture
Schools report that Greenpower has a wider impact beyond STEM. Many describe improvements in confidence, attendance and academic engagement, particularly among students who previously struggled socially or academically. The programme provides a sense of belonging and purpose that carries over into the classroom.
This impact is sustained by the dedication of teachers, volunteers and local supporters. Seventy percent of teams are run as extracurricular clubs, and the same proportion are led by teachers, supported by parents, youth workers and employers. Many schools now embed Greenpower into their long‑term culture, with two‑thirds of teams active for five years or more and many organisations running multiple cars.
Race days remain a defining part of the experience. While competitive, they are characterised by collaboration and sportsmanship, with teams routinely helping each other get back on track. Schools consistently highlight the sense of community and joy that keeps students returning year after year.
A growing national movement with clear educational value
The 2025 Impact Report closes by recognising the teachers, volunteers and supporters who make the programme possible and emphasising Greenpower’s commitment to expanding access.
Shelbourne added:
“The demand for STEM skills continues to grow. Young people deserve opportunities that are ambitious, inclusive and genuinely inspiring. Greenpower delivers exactly that, and we are committed to expanding access so even more students can benefit.”
