At TEP Birmingham, we firmly believe in the power of inspiring and educating the next generation of scientists, engineers and leaders. While today’s young people may inherit the environmental challenges created by previous generations, they also hold the potential to develop the innovative solutions that will shape a cleaner and more sustainable future.
As part of our ongoing community engagement programme, TEP Birmingham recently welcomed 45 students from Years 5 and 9 at Ark Victoria Academy for a day of learning, discovery and inspiration at Tyseley Energy Park.
Supported by colleagues from HyProMag and Mkango Rare Earths UK, students explored the exciting clean technology and recycling work taking place onsite, including a guided tour of the recently opened rare earth magnet recycling facility.
Bringing STEM Learning to Life
During the visit, students learned about rare earth magnets, a vital component used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, mobile phones and many other technologies essential to the global transition towards net zero.
Pupils were introduced to the innovative Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS) technology, developed at the University of Birmingham and exclusively licenced to HyProMag, which recovers and recycles magnets from electronic waste so they can be reused in new products. They discovered how recycling rare earth materials reduces waste, lowers carbon emissions and decreases reliance on resource-intensive, mining operations.
The experience brought classroom science to life by allowing students to see advanced engineering and recycling processes in action.
For Year 5 pupils, the visit reinforced Key Stage 2 topics including materials, magnetism, forces and environmental sustainability. Students explored how magnets behave, how different materials can be reused, and why recycling is important for protecting the environment.
Year 9 students connected the experience to GCSE-level topics such as electromagnetism, chemical and physical processes, energy resources and industrial applications of science. The tour also provided insight into future careers in engineering, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Mohamed Ibrahim, Class Teacher and Community Engagement Lead at Ark Victoria Academy, said: “It’s wonderful to have a site like TEP Birmingham so close to our school and so willing to open its doors to our students.
“Days like this, where students can see innovation in action, are extremely impactful and will massively influence the budding scientists who have toured the site today. We can’t wait to see how this translates into the classroom and our students’ learning.”
The Power of Community Relationships
Community is at the heart of what we do at TEP Birmingham, and we are committed to improving STEM education through targeted outreach and meaningful partnerships with local schools.
We are continually exploring how to strengthen relationships with education providers and expand opportunities for young people to engage with science, technology and sustainability. Planned developments for our onsite School Room will help create a focal point for future educational visits and community engagement activity.
We are also grateful for the legacy community assets located onsite at Hay Mills, including the Memorial Hall, St Cyprian’s Church and neighbouring green spaces, which we are assessing as part of our wider ambition to create thriving community hubs that promote social cohesion, skills development and community-led engagement.
East Birmingham is home to more than 309,000 residents, with one-third aged 17 and under. The area is rich in diversity, heritage and opportunity, and TEP Birmingham recognises the importance of supporting organisations and initiatives that help improve the lives of local people.
David Horsfall, Director of Property and Sustainability at TEP Birmingham, commented: “We are striving to put TEP Birmingham, and the West Midlands, on the map as a national success story for clean energy, innovation and regeneration that local people can be proud of.
“Our site is already bringing real regeneration to the area, attracting investment and creating jobs, so extending our reach to local students is an obvious next phase in our community engagement journey.”
Inspiring Future Innovators
The visit also highlighted the importance of engaging young people with emerging green industries at an early stage. By seeing a live industrial innovation site in operation, students gained a better understanding of how science and engineering can help tackle global environmental challenges.
William Dawes, Chief Executive of Mkango and Director of HyProMag, reflected: “The opening of the rare earth magnet recycling facility at TEP Birmingham was a landmark achievement and transformational for the UK’s magnet manufacturing industry.
“Being able to engage students at this stage of the site’s development is exciting and we hope to have inspired some future clean tech innovators during today’s tours.”
Through initiatives like this, TEP Birmingham hopes to continue inspiring the next generation while strengthening connections between industry, education and the local community.
