UK Engineering Education Excellence: Last Call for 2025 David Clark Prize Nominations

The 2025 David Clark Prize nomination period is drawing to a close, with submissions accepted until March 14, 2025. This prestigious award seeks to identify and reward educators who demonstrate exceptional commitment to engineering education.

The David Clark Prize identifies and celebrates educators who go beyond standard curriculum requirements to inspire students toward engineering careers. The award explicitly targets teachers implementing innovative teaching methods that connect theoretical concepts with practical applications.

The David Clark Prize represents a targeted intervention to address the well-documented engineering skills shortage in the UK. By recognizing educators at both primary and secondary levels, the prize acknowledges the importance of early exposure to engineering concepts and sustained educational pathways.

Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, Chairman of the ERA Foundation, explains the strategic importance of the award: “The David Clark Prize acknowledges educators who excel in nurturing engineering talent. These exceptional individuals create transformative learning experiences that inspire the next generation of engineers.”

This approach aligns with research indicating that early positive experiences with engineering significantly increase the likelihood of students pursuing related fields in higher education and career choices. The prize creates visibility for successful educational models that can be adapted and implemented more broadly across UK schools.

The 2025 prize will recognize two distinct categories of educators:

• One award for primary school educators
• One award for educators at secondary schools, colleges, or University Technical Colleges (UTCs)

Each selected educator will receive:

• A personal award of £3,000
• Institutional funding of £12,000 distributed over three years

The institutional funding component is specifically designed to support the development and implementation of engineering education projects, creating a sustainable impact beyond the immediate recognition of the award.

What do I need to do to apply?

The selection committee employs an evaluation framework focused on identifying educators who demonstrate:

• Strategic vision for integrating technology and engineering principles into education
• Innovative methodologies that enhance student engagement with engineering concepts
• Measurable effectiveness in guiding students toward engineering career pathways
• Substantial contributions to engineering education within the past five years

Nominations require documentation, including a 600-word submission detailing the educator’s achievements and a one-minute video presentation. These materials help the selection committee assess both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of each educator’s impact.

Past winners of the David Clark Prize demonstrate practical approaches to engineering education that yield measurable results. The 2024 recipients exemplify this excellence:

• Paul Tyler from Kirkhill Primary School developed a program that introduces elementary engineering principles through hands-on projects, connecting classroom learning with real-world applications.
• Anthony Vaughan-Evans from East Point Academy implemented a comprehensive engineering curriculum that bridges theoretical concepts with practical skills development, utilizing partnerships with local engineering firms to provide students with authentic learning experiences.

These educators share common characteristics: they develop systematic approaches to engineering education, create connections between classroom learning and industry applications, and establish sustainable programs that continue to benefit students beyond their direct involvement.

Nomination Process and Timeline

The nomination process has been designed to be accessible. Educational institutions, colleagues, or industry partners can nominate exceptional educators by:

1. Preparing a 600-word submission detailing the nominee’s contributions to engineering education
2. Creating a one-minute video presentation highlighting the nominee’s impact
3. Submitting completed materials to [email protected]

Important dates:

• Nomination deadline: Friday, March 14, 2025
• Winner announcement: June 2025 at the ERA Foundation Annual Dinner

The David Clark Prize operates within the broader context of national efforts to strengthen the UK’s engineering capabilities. Engineering education is critical to maintaining technological competitiveness and addressing infrastructure challenges.

How to Submit

Educational institutions interested in nominating outstanding educators can access nomination materials and additional information through the ERA Foundation website.