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School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
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  4. Growing Intelligence: AI Skills Through Renewable Energy Education & Food Production

Growing Intelligence: AI Skills Through Renewable Energy Education & Food Production

Project Summary 

Growing Intelligence is an EPSRC-funded outreach initiative led by the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at Queen Mary University of London. The project develops AI skills across Key Stages 1 to post-16 by using real-world renewable energy systems as an educational foundation. It installs solar-powered growing systems in schools and enables students to use artificial intelligence tools to monitor, optimise, and understand energy and food systems. 

The project combines live energy infrastructure with AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to create hands-on STEM learning. The initiative supports diversity in AI education by engaging schools and communities in East London, with a focus on inclusion and long-term impact. 

Objectives 

  • Build an AI learning pathway using live renewable energy demonstrators in schools 
  • Engage students from primary to post-16 in data-driven energy and food monitoring 
  • Train teachers via the London North East Maths Hub to embed AI in the curriculum 
  • Run inclusive community events at the Green Room Café demonstration site 
  • Develop a replication framework for national scale-up across Maths Hubs 

People 

  • Ella Rice (Project Lead, EECS) 
  • Professor Mark Sandler (Co-I, EECS) 
  • Professor Ioannis Patras (Co-I, EECS) 

Partners 

  • HRM Global Solutions (technical delivery & urban food systems) 
  • RecyclAcell (community engagement) 
  • London North East Maths Hub (teacher CPD network) 
  • Elmhurst Primary School (confirmed pilot site) 

Funding 

EPSRC Additional Funding: AI Skills Pipeline — Summer 2025 Internal Call 

Contact 

Ella Rice - e.rice@qmul.ac.uk 

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