Great Science Share for Schools reaches one million pupils worldwide

16 Jun 2026

Project helping teachers and pupils bring more curiosity-led, practical science into classrooms celebrates major milestone and models our values towards social responsibility and widening participation set out in our Manchester 2035 strategy.

A science education campaign led by colleagues in the Faculty of Science and Engineering has reached a major milestone, with more than one million pupils from 58 countries now registered taking part.  

Great Science Share for Schools (GSSfS), founded in 2016 by Professor Lynne Bianchi, supports teachers and pupils to bring more curiosity-led, practical science into classrooms. The campaign encourages pupils aged 5-14 to ask their own scientific questions, carry out investigations and share what they have discovered with others. 

This year’s landmark achievement marks the highest level of participation in the campaign’s history and reflects the growing reach of the Faculty’s work to support science and engineering education locally, nationally and internationally. 

Closer to home, the occasion was celebrated on Tuesday, 16 June as the Faculty welcomed 31 schools from across Greater Manchester to the Nancy Rothwell Building for a special Great Science Share event. Pupils presented their investigations, shared their findings with peers, educators and University scientists and experienced first-hand what it means to be part of a wider community of scientific curiosity. For colleagues across the Faculty, the event offered a powerful reminder of how our work with schools can help build confidence, widen participation and inspire young people to see science and engineering as something they can be part of.

Professor Lynne Bianchi, Vice Dean for Social Responsibility in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, said: “2026 is a truly great year for GSSfS by reaching this huge milestone. This makes a huge difference to teachers and young people, as well as showing that there is keen interest to raise the profile of science education for all. As the University’s From Manchester to the World 2035 strategy really takes pace, GSSfS models our values towards social responsibility and widening participation.”

The achievement is a powerful example of the Faculty’s commitment to social responsibility in action – connecting colleagues, schools and young people through shared curiosity, practical learning and a passion for science and engineering. 

Read more about this year’s Great Science Share for Schools and watch a short video with Lynne Bianchi, our Vice Chancellor and President, Duncan Ivison and Director of Social Responsibility, Julian Skyrme: