Skip to main content
Richie for teachers banner

Richie for teachers

Making science fun for kids with our Richie education programme 

Richie for teachers banner

Richie for teachers

Making science fun for kids with our Richie education programme 

Science workshops

For over 15 years, we've been able to bring hands-on science workshops to schools local near our sites in the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. 

Our Richie science workshops focus on nuclear energy and teach students aged 8-10 on the importance of protecting our planet for future generations. The interactive workshops help students learn about nuclear power and uranium enrichment through a series of fun experiments using real-world scenarios and activities from an expert in the field. 

Wondering what Richie workshops look like? Get a glimpse in our video or see our frequently asked questions below to find out more. 

  • What is the purpose of Richie science workshops?

    Our workshops are designed to excite and inspire young people about STEM, in particular the need to be inquisitive and scientific in our approach to finding solutions for today’s problems. The in-person workshops provide students with an interactive learning experience with hands-on STEM activities. 

  • How long do the workshops last?

    Each workshop would typically take up to half a day for 30 children.  

  • What is the expected outcome for the students after attending a workshop?

    The students will feel enthusiastic about STEM and will see how all low carbon energy sources are needed to meet important climate change goals, as well as what nuclear energy is, which is more difficult to understand than wind or solar energy for example. The workshop includes a variety of activities to keep students engaged and appeal to a range of learning preferences.

  • Are there any costs associated with running a workshop?

    There is no cost for schools that host our workshops. Staffing and all materials and equipment are provided by Urenco.

  • Who can attend the workshops?

    The workshops take place close to our global sites and are tailored for students in primary school. They fit well with science or STEM focused activities.

  • What topics are covered in the workshop?

    The workshops cover a wide range of topics related to STEM, climate and environmental responsibilities including the science behind uranium enrichment and nuclear power generation. An important sustainable source of energy, recognised by governments globally. 

  • How can my school host a workshop?

    We run our workshops with schools located near our Urenco sites please email Richie@urenco.com for more information. Even if we cannot host a local workshop, there may be other options we can discuss. 

  • What information can I use to teach nuclear energy in the classroom?

    To provide a comprehensive overview of nuclear energy for students, including how it works, and how it can support our net zero ambition, we have several resources you can use - download our animation and fun facts section in our Students’ page and view more resources below.

  • What is the purpose of Richie science workshops?

    Our workshops are designed to excite and inspire young people about STEM, in particular the need to be inquisitive and scientific in our approach to finding solutions for today’s problems. The in-person workshops provide students with an interactive learning experience with hands-on STEM activities. 

  • Who can attend the workshops?

    The workshops take place close to our global sites and are tailored for students in primary school. They fit well with science or STEM focused activities.

  • How long do the workshops last?

    Each workshop would typically take up to half a day for 30 children.  

  • What topics are covered in the workshop?

    The workshops cover a wide range of topics related to STEM, climate and environmental responsibilities including the science behind uranium enrichment and nuclear power generation. An important sustainable source of energy, recognised by governments globally. 

  • What is the expected outcome for the students after attending a workshop?

    The students will feel enthusiastic about STEM and will see how all low carbon energy sources are needed to meet important climate change goals, as well as what nuclear energy is, which is more difficult to understand than wind or solar energy for example. The workshop includes a variety of activities to keep students engaged and appeal to a range of learning preferences.

  • How can my school host a workshop?

    We run our workshops with schools located near our Urenco sites please email Richie@urenco.com for more information. Even if we cannot host a local workshop, there may be other options we can discuss. 

  • Are there any costs associated with running a workshop?

    There is no cost for schools that host our workshops. Staffing and all materials and equipment are provided by Urenco.

  • What information can I use to teach nuclear energy in the classroom?

    To provide a comprehensive overview of nuclear energy for students, including how it works, and how it can support our net zero ambition, we have several resources you can use - download our animation and fun facts section in our Students’ page and view more resources below.

Richie lectures

Each year, Urenco hosts a Richie Lecture, a celebration of STEM subjects for 11 to 12-year-olds. Our ninth Lecture took place at the Science Museum, where we welcomed students from schools local to our head office and from London for a day of activities and experiments centring around sustainability.

Students enjoyed a bespoke science performance with Dr Ken Farquhar titled Powering the Future – a carbon-busting sustainability show exploring the science behind climate change and solutions that could help mitigate global warming. Following the lecture students explored Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery, which Urenco sponsors, before coming back for a fun quiz to test their new knowledge and the chance to win some glittering prizes. 

You can view our previous Richie Lecture videos on our YouTube channel.

View previous Richie Lectures

Classroom resources

We have made engaging resources that help students to understand energy and how they can play a part in solving the climate challenge. You can find them on our Richie for students page, which is designed with young people in mind and includes fun facts, quizzes, videos and our Richie game app.

Richie for students

We also support the Science Museum's Wonderlab+, a fantastic new website for children and families designed to increase their science capital and interest in STEM related careers. Visit the Wonderlab+ website for quizzes, videos and resources to engage students with exciting science content.

Visit Wonderlab+
  • Our video shorts explain things in bit size chunks. Click to play!

  • Our video shorts explain things in bit size chunks. Click to play!

  • Our video shorts explain things in bit size chunks. Click to play!

Arrow left icon Arrow right icon
Arrow left icon Arrow right icon

Urenco created free digital resources in collaboration with the British Science Association (BSA) as part of the CREST scheme for student-led project work in STEM subjects. 

Spinning Solutions (aimed at 7- to 11-year-olds) – through group work and interactive activities, students can learn about the concept of separation and its purpose in everyday life.

Enrich my Classroom (aimed at 11- to 14-year-olds) – students can investigate a variety of topics, including coding, electricity, magnetism, ergonomics and nanotechnology, and develop exciting new ways to enrich their classroom. This workshop is also available in Dutch: Classroom2030.

Find out more about our work with BSA in our partner information below.

       

Our Partners

Urenco’s commitment to promoting STEM education and fostering the next generation of innovative thinkers could not be achieved without our education partners. We work with institutions in The Netherlands, the UK, and the USA to provide engaging and enriching opportunities for young people with access to world-class educational resources and experiences that inspire curiosity and creativity in STEM.

Click on each partner below to find out how we work with them:

  • Dr Ken and students at the Richie Lecture 2022

    Dr Ken and students at the Richie Lecture 2022

  • UUSA Richie volunteers pose in classroom at Underwood Elementary in Andrews, TX

    UUSA Richie volunteers pose in classroom at Underwood Elementary in Andrews, TX

  • Wendy Sadler and students at the Richie Lecture 2019

    Wendy Sadler and students at the Richie Lecture 2019

  • Activities at the Iqra School Richie workshop

    Activities at the Iqra School Richie workshop

  • Students captivated in the Science Museum's Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery during the Richie Lecture

    Students captivated in the Science Museum's Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery during the Richie Lecture

  • UUSA Richie Workshop 2023

    UUSA Richie Workshop 2023

  • Student shares ink blotting activity at Burford School, UK

    Student shares ink blotting activity at Burford School, UK

  • Richie Mascot poses with family in Gronau, Germany

    Richie Mascot poses with family in Gronau, Germany

Arrow left icon Arrow right icon

Contact us

Are you a teacher or member of faculty who would like to learn more? Get in touch with us by filling in the form below.

Please accept necessary cookies to use this form. More information can be found here

Richie for teachers banner

Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter by entering your email address below.

Back to
the goals