As part of their ongoing commitment to real-world learning and enrichment, students from King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes recently participated in the Unilever Bright Futures Inspire Programme. This prestigious regional initiative is designed to inspire young people by providing hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through collaboration with business professionals.
King’s Hawthornes became involved in the programme through its partnership with All About STEM. Yasmin Hagan, the school’s Careers Lead, recognised the project as an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of scientific careers and apply their knowledge to a practical, industry-based setting. Under the guidance of Chelsey Wilson from the school’s Science Department, Year 9 students embarked on an eight-week research and development process during their allocated enrichment time.
In November 2024, the students attended the Unilever Research and Development (R&D) Showcase at Port Sunlight. This immersive experience allowed them to explore the inner workings of Unilever’s core R&D functions—Consumer, Formulation, Processing (Scale-Up), Digital, and Consumer Technical Insights, and Total Product Design. Each workshop was delivered by Unilever professionals who shared their expertise and discussed how each function operates within the business. They also advised the students on what they should consider when developing their own product.
Following the workshops, students were tasked with creating a personal care and wellbeing or homecare product that had a clear social and environmental purpose. They were encouraged to align their ideas with at least one of Unilever’s Sustainable Living Goals, such as regenerating ecosystems, net zero emissions by 2039, fair livelihoods throughout the value chain, and ending plastic pollution through innovative design and collaboration. As part of their product design, students also considered key factors including formulation, packaging, manufacturing processes, target consumer base, digital technologies, sustainability, and accessibility. Students were given three months to design and produce their unique product.
The students were invited to an assessment and awards day and were delighted to achieve second place in the programme with their innovative product, Samurai Shampoo. This sustainable shampoo bar was designed to promote hair growth while addressing environmental impact and consumer accessibility. The team’s innovative thinking and scientific application earned them a £250 award to invest in STEM resources for the school, as well as individual CREST Bronze Awards, a nationally recognised accreditation for project-based STEM work.
Participation in the Unilever Bright Future Inspire Programme has left a lasting impression on the students involved. It has strengthened their understanding of how science is used in industry, boosted their confidence in collaborative problem-solving, and inspired many to consider future careers in STEM.