Discover Materials is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Medal for Excellence by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). This prestigious award recognises the group’s outstanding contributions to the promotion of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) across the UK.
The annual award honours outstanding achievement by a group in materials, minerals or mining and is judged by the IOM3 Awards Committee.
ABOUT DISCOVER MATERIALS
With the support of the Henry Royce Institute, Discover Materials is a UK-wide working group committed to raising awareness of Materials Science and Engineering among young people, teachers, and the wider public.
The group was formed in 2018 following a meeting of Heads of Materials Science Departments, where a group of early-career academics and outreach officers from nine universities were tasked with increasing applications to MSE courses in UK universities.
GROWTH & IMPACT
A major step forward came for the working group in 2020 when Discover Materials, in partnership with the Henry Royce Institute, commissioned a survey of 2,000 students aged 16–18 to understand perceptions of MSE and the factors influencing their career choices. Insights from this survey informed the development of a professionally produced video campaign aimed at promoting MSE to secondary school students.
In 2021, the group established an Advisory Board which includes academics, educators, community groups, and members of the Ogden Trust and IOM3 to guide its strategic development and ensure impactful, inclusive engagement.
To support the continued growth of its outreach programme, the group developed the Discover Materials Ambassadors (DMA) network in the same year, which now includes over 100 student and postdoctoral volunteers from universities across the UK. These ambassadors recieve training and support to deliver school visits, public engagement events, and assist with the group’s working groups and content development.
EXPANDING REACH
Discover Materials maintains a strong presence in schools, science festivals, and community groups across the UK. Highlights include activities at major national events such as the Big Bang Fair and Cheltenham Science Festival, as well as regional events like the Swansea Science Festival and Malvern Festival of Innovation.
The group has also secured funding from a range of partners to expand its work:
- UK Space Agency: Let’s Move to the Moon project
- Royal Society of Chemistry: Development of hands-on science kits for self-directed learning (CoCoMicroBox, CoCoBioMater Bag, and CoCoElectro Bag)
- Royal Academy of Engineering: An Ingenious Awards project to co-create educational media content with focus groups of 11–14-year-olds
Additionally, Discover Materials collaborates with organisations such as 4wardFutures and The Salters’ Institute, and delivers CPD sessions for teachers to enhance understanding of MSE in the classroom.
The 2025 IOM3 Medal for Excellence is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Discover Materials and its partners. By developing a national, inclusive strategy for outreach and engagement, the group continues to shape the future of Materials Science and Engineering education across the UK.
