Youth Voices Take Centre Stage at CEOS Plenary in Bath

The CEOS Youth Summit 2025 wrapped up in November, with an inspiring display of international collaboration, creativity and climate-conscious innovation. Hosted during the UK Space Agency’s CEOS Chair year, the summit welcomed students from six countries (Australia, Canada, Thailand, Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom) for a landmark celebration of Earth Observation (EO) and youth engagement.

The summit marked the culmination of the CEOS in Schools pilot programme, a year-long initiative designed to empower students to explore how EO technologies can help tackle global challenges such as climate change, disaster response, and sustainable development. Throughout the programme, students participated in two international webinars, collaborated on poster projects, and received mentorship from experts across the CEOS network.

The first-ever CEOS Youth Summit took place at the Bath Plenary, where students presented their EO posters to CEOS Principals and engaged in a live Q&A session. The posters, covering topics from urban resilience and deforestation to biodiversity monitoring and climate adaptation, offered a compelling glimpse into the next generation’s vision for EO. These student-led projects will remain on display throughout the week, providing delegates with a tangible reminder of the creativity and insight that young minds bring to the global EO conversation.

The energy and enthusiasm of the students was palpable throughout the summit. Delegates praised the depth of insight and originality shown in the poster presentations, with many noting the students’ ability to translate complex EO concepts into accessible and impactful ideas. The live Q&A session proved to be a standout moment, as students enthusiastically engaged in asking questions to senior space agency representatives and shared their perspectives on the future of EO technologies and their role in shaping a more sustainable world.

Beth Greenaway, Head of EO and Climate at the UK Space Agency, reflected on the impact and significance of this event:

“The CEOS Youth Summit and the CEOS in Schools pilot have shown the extraordinary potential of young people to shape the future of Earth Observation. By bringing together students from across the globe, we have not only inspired the next generation of scientists and innovators, but also created a unique platform for international collaboration and dialogue. The enthusiasm, creativity, and insight demonstrated by these students remind us why it is so important to make Earth Observation accessible and inclusive. At the UK Space Agency, we are proud to champion initiatives that empower youth voices, foster global partnerships, and ensure that the benefits of space and satellite technology are shared widely. The success of this pilot is a testament to what can be achieved when agencies, educators, and students work together to unlock new opportunities for learning and discovery.”

The summit also spotlighted the launch of the CEOS Youth Hub, which went live in September. This new open-access platform offers educational resources for students and teachers worldwide, supporting long-term STEM learning and fostering international collaboration in EO. The hub has already seen strong engagement from schools across the CEOS network and is expected to grow as more institutions join the initiative.

Videos from the Youth Summit are available here, including the Summit Introduction and Student Feedback videos.