Schools Geology Challenge 2025
In March, the Society hosted the final of the annual Schools Geology Challenge. The competition is open to students aged 16 to 18 studying geology, geography, or science, and provides the opportunity to showcase their passion for geoscience and demonstrate their teamwork, creativity and presentation skills.
Winners and judges of the 2025 Schools Geology Challenge at Burlington House. © Murray Pettit
In the first-stage qualifiers, teams produced a piece of online media on any geoscience topic of their choice. The top ten teams were then invited to the final at Burlington House to complete a problem-solving activity.
For this year’s activity, teams were tasked with preparing a space mission proposal to launch a spacecraft that would acquire valuable materials from an asteroid, to help meet the demand for green technology. Teams had to consider which elements to mine, what mining equipment to use, whether to invest in instrumentation to learn more about their chosen asteroid, and the expected yield of the mission. Teams also had the option to commission a laboratory study on a fictional, newly discovered element Burlingtonium (Bh) or invest in public engagement or an ethics panel – all while keeping their mission in budget!
The students presented their findings to the fictional Geological Society Space Agency (GSLSA), who could only fund one mission. The final was judged by Marissa Lo, Leanne Hughes, and Mahesh Anand who have expertise in lunar volcanology, geological surveying, and planetary science and exploration.
The winners of Schools Geology Challenge 2025 were Eltham College, impressing the judges with their mission proposal, great teamwork and geoscientific knowledge! The team took home the coveted amethyst trophy and £500 towards geoscience education at their school. The runners up were Sheffield High School for Girls and Cirencester College, who won £250 each for their schools. Thank you to all teams that took part and our wonderful judges!
Click here to find out more about Schools Geology Challenge and how to enter. If you are interested in being a judge for the 2026 final, please contact: education@geolosoc.org.uk
