The Kroto Prize for Science Education of Young People
Celebrating students and researchers who inspire young people through outstanding STEM outreach, communication and creativity. In honour of Sir Harry Kroto’s legacy, these prizes recognise those making science engaging, accessible and exciting for the next generation.
About the prize
The Kroto Prize for Science Education of Young People recognises members of the University community who have made an outstanding contribution to science education outreach.
The prize honours the legacy of Professor Sir Harry Kroto, Nobel Prize–winning chemist, University of Sheffield alumnus, and passionate advocate for the creative communication of science. Throughout his career, Sir Harry championed new and imaginative ways to make science accessible, engaging and inspiring for young audiences.
Together with Lady Margaret Kroto, he dedicated enormous time and energy to encouraging young people to explore science. This prize continues that legacy by recognising those who are making a meaningful difference in young people’s engagement with STEM.
Prize categories
Two prizes of £250 will be awarded:
Early Career Researcher / PhD Category
£250 for outstanding science outreach delivered by a PhD student or early career researcher.
Undergraduate / Masters Category
£250 for outstanding science outreach delivered by an undergraduate or masters student.
Prizes may be awarded in the form of vouchers. Entries may be submitted individually or as a group; where a group submission wins, the prize will be shared between the contributors.
How to enter
To enter the competition, submit a short press release (maximum 500 words) describing your science education outreach activity.
Your press release should tell the story of your outreach by explaining:
- The activity or initiative you delivered
- Who it reached and why it mattered
- The impact it had on young people’s engagement with STEM
- Any partnerships or collaborations involved
Think of it as highlighting what you did, why it mattered, and the difference it made. Keep your writing clear, concise and engaging.
What to submit
Your entry should include:
- A press release (maximum 500 words) describing your outreach activity
- An image from the outreach event or activity (if available)
- A short evaluation summary
The evaluation summary might include:
- Attendance numbers
- Participant or teacher feedback
- Quotes or reflections on the impact of the activity
Key dates and entry rules
Entries should:
- Focus on outreach activities delivered within the past 12 months
- Demonstrate impact, creativity and engagement with young people
Entries for the 2026 competition are now open. The deadline for submissions is Monday 18 May 2026.
Winners will be announced and prizes awarded during the week commencing 22 June 2026
Competition entry form
Your submission should be saved as a PDF in Google Drive
Submit your competition entry here
Judging criteria
Entries will be assessed by a panel of judges based on:
- Overall effectiveness of the press release
- Creativity and originality of the outreach activity
- Evidence of impact on young people's engagement with science
- Collaboration or partnerships involved
- Clarity, structure and adherence to the word limit
Previous winners
Need some inspiration? Here are some examples of past winners and the work they submitted.
Lygia Eleftheriou
Lygia organised a vibrant outreach event featuring a wide range of interactive STEM activities including 3D printing demonstrations, chemistry experiments, astronomy workshops, wind turbine demonstrations and hands-on maths activities. Each station combined short presentations, interactive learning and games designed to engage young visitors.
Chelsea Sabo
Chelsea led and participated in several outreach activities promoting STEM careers. Her work focused on connecting classroom learning with real-world scientific applications and reached over 250 young people through targeted activities during the year.
Gifty Tetteh
Inspired by Sir Harry Kroto’s Buckyball workshop, Gifty developed a three-week “Labs to Africa” outreach programme in Ghana, funded by the Santander Mobility Grant. The initiative aimed to strengthen science teaching and inspire students in a developing educational context.
Ilida Ortega Asensio
Ilida received the prize for her active involvement in events including the Sheffield Children's Festival and Festival of the Mind, as well as her work supporting young scientists through the Inspiring and Supporting Young Researchers programme.
Press release top tips
Not written a press release before?
Don’t worry, a good press release is simply a clear and engaging way to explain what you did, why it mattered and the impact it had. Your entry should be written for a general audience, so try to avoid technical language and focus on communicating your activity in an accessible and engaging way.
Take a look at this helpful guide for tips on writing for a non-specialist audience and presenting your outreach activity clearly and effectively.