Youngsters aged between 14 and 16 will find how they can help save the planet on Friday, July 4, when the Carbon Challenge road show, which is part of BP's Enterprising Science program, visits their school.

The workshop gives the children the opportunity to develop a carbon reduction plans for a fictional 'Carbon College.'

They will also be challenged to develop plans to cut their own school's carbon
footprint, and then share their success stories with other schools on via the Enterprising Science website www.enterprisingscience.com

At the launch of the scheme, the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, said: "Enthusing our young people to learn science is our biggest challenge in developing the next generation of great British scientists.

"All the major issues in this century – population increases, diminishing water resources, genetic engineering – require science and technology to deliver the answers.

"This generation will also be on the frontline of further developing the low carbon technologies needed to tackle climate change."

Enterprising Science is designed to inspire teachers and students in the studies of energy, environment, leadership and business skills.

The program is intended to run for three academic years, reaching more than 400 schools and around 60,000 students each year.

Research carried out by BP and the Energy Savings Trust shows that 14-16 year olds have a relatively low awareness of climate change issues.