72 school pupils in year 10 of their education have attended the ‘Uncover Engineering’ course at Oxford University with the support of waste sector charities WEERT and CIWM.
The course is open each year to two groups of pupils: for girls; and for Black African and Caribbean heritage. The two groups attended the university separately in April 2025, representing the third year that the programme has taken place.
Ongoing support from WEERT (the Waste Environmental Education and Research Trust) and the CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management) covers the costs of the day activities and accommodation.
The pupils attended engineering sessions including drone building and metalworking in the Oxford University laboratories. They also visited engineering sites and this year they included the Lakeside Energy-from-Waste facility operated by Grundon/Viridor at Colnbrook.
During the two weeks that the course takes place, formal dinners were held at St Hugh’s and Exeter colleges. These were also attended by waste industry members who had the opportunity to discuss the course and activities with the pupils.
WEERT says the course helps Oxford University promote Engineering Science to students from backgrounds that are currently under-represented in Higher Education.
The Uncover programme, the University explains, is for students that are interested in science and pursuing science in the future. Applicants should be predicted or be likely to obtain a minimum of six GCSEs graded at 7-9 or five National 5 graded at A or equivalent qualifications. These must include Maths, Science and English.
Commenting on this year’s course, Jake Hayler, a Trustee of the WEERT charity and Executive Director of the Environmental Services Association, said: “It is a real privilege for WEERT to be part of this programme and to play a small part in helping to promote possible careers into the circular economy for these engineers of the future.
“It is always inspiring to hear the pupils’ enthusiasm, as well as to push for greater diversity in our sector. We hope that this course will prove to be one step in a long journey in engineering for these wonderful young people.”
David Greenfield, Vice-President of CIWM, said he was pleased to attend the course dinner for Black African and Caribbean heritage pupils and learn of the work of the Uncover programme.
He commented: “It was a real pleasure to join the final dinner of the Uncover event at Oxford. The passion and insight from the students were truly inspiring. As CIWM Vice-President, I’m excited about how this kind of programme can help shape practical, systems-based education to enable the circular economy and resource management.”
And, Jack Robinson, Access and Alumni Manager with the Department of Engineering Science at Oxford University, remarked: “It has been truly rewarding to watch this diverse group of young people quickly get to know each other and become friends as they approached the engineering challenges together.
“Our strength as engineers comes from our ability to take on board new ideas, sharing them and listening to the good ideas of those around us. The Uncover students embodied that ethos magnificently.”
One of the pupils said: “I am truly grateful to Oxford and the sponsors who made this programme possible. It has been an unforgettable experience that has strengthened my interest in engineering and inspired me to continue exploring this exciting field.”
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