On Monday 24th March 2025, Oxford High School was at the forefront of innovation and student leadership as Year 12 student Amy hosted the pioneering Sustainable Technology Conference. Entirely student-led and organised, the online event attracted over 1,000 attendees from schools across the country, eager to engage with the latest advancements in sustainable technology.
The conference was a shining example of Oxford High School’s commitment to empowering students to take bold steps in addressing global challenges. Amy’s vision and dedication brought together an impressive line-up of expert speakers, reinforcing the school’s ethos of fostering independent thinking, leadership and academic curiosity.
The conference featured industry leaders and top researchers, including Lucy Yu, CEO of Octopus Energy’s Centre for Net Zero, who shared insights on AI-based modelling and energy transition. Professor Alexander Forse from Cambridge University explored sustainable and fast-charging energy storage systems, while Professor Mark Miodownik from UCL introduced his fascinating research into Animate Materials. Dr Eseosa Ekanem from the UK Atomic Energy Authority discussed the sustainable use of Tritium in nuclear energy, and Anna Stukas, Vice President of One Point Five, presented groundbreaking developments in Direct Air Capture systems and Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Reflecting on the event, Amy expressed her excitement: “I started work on this before Christmas, and it took a while to pull everything together. Sustainability is a very important issue to me, and I’m also passionate about the application of STEM to find solutions that will help us combat climate challenges.”
The conference provided a unique opportunity for students at Oxford High and beyond to gain invaluable insights into cutting-edge sustainable technologies, igniting curiosity and inspiring the next generation of changemakers. With free tickets available via the Oxford High Box Office, the event was widely accessible, ensuring that students from all backgrounds could participate in this exciting exploration of sustainability and STEM innovation.