Building a Sustainable Future for Music, Making and Coding in Schools

On 14 May 2026, the UCL Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education (CCCSE) and the Science Education Special Interest Group hosted a joint seminar showcasing eight years of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of music, engineering, and sustainability. Dr Alison Kitson, CCCSE Programme Director, opened the session by introducing the Centre's Teaching for Sustainable Futures CPD modules, including "Where to Start in Primary Music" (developed with Hazel Baxter), which explores soundwalks, music inspired by nature, and instruments made from natural and upcycled materials. A secondary music module follows in September. The main presentation, "Let's Play! Music, Making, Engineering and Sustainability in Schools," was delivered by the core research team: Dr Nicolas Gold (UCL Computer Science), Dr Ross Purves and Prof Evangelos Himonides (both UCL IOE, Department of Culture, Communication and Media). Drawing on constructionism, "hard fun" and computational thinking, the trio traced their project from a 2018 LEGO guitar prototype through school workshops with pupils aged 11–14, where children built acoustic and digital instruments programmed in Python. Responding to increasingly pressing environmental and cost factors, the team has now developed a more sustainable platform: a recycled cardboard block construction system, paired with open-hardware BBC Micro:bits and Raspberry Pi. Recent primary-school field testing proved the platform to be robust and engaging, with further secondary-school trials planned for July 2026. Supported by a HEIF grant, the team is now exploring social-enterprise routes to make the platform accessible to educators and the wider public.

Fwd: Singing in balance convention - call for contributions until 11 May

Singing in Balance Convention: 

A two day exchange on increasing the accessibility and inclusivity of group singing practices

9th-10th September 2026

The Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET

Call for contributions open until 11th May.

About the Convention

The Singing in Balance Convention (SiBCon) will bring together group singing practitioners and researchers to change the face of accessible and inclusive singing by sharing research and practice. It is an opportunity to spark conversations, learn from each other and develop connections through our shared interest in accessible singing practice and research. 

The two-day convention will consist of workshops, flash talks, themed sessions, demonstrations and discussions with opportunities for networking throughout. The convention will include leaders in the field representing practice and research. 

Call for Contributions

We’re welcoming contributions from practitioners and researchers showcasing and analysing accessibility and inclusivity in group singing. We are keen to hear from representatives of choirs and singing groups, conservatoires, universities and associated organisations in other environments such as healthcare. Contributions are invited which relate to the broad theme of accessibility and inclusion of group singing practices. We are keen to amplify the voices of specific groups, such as those with mental and physical health challenges, diverse cultural and singing backgrounds, LGBTQ+ singers, and a range of lived experiences. 

Online presentation and contributions will be supported where possible, although this may not suit all aspects of the convention. We will be actively seeking to initiate collaboration between contributors for session delivery and will be designing the convention programme to reflect this. See the website of the convention for further details. 

Website: https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/singing-in-balance/the-convention

Email: singinginbalance@gmail.com

Facebook: Singing in Balance Facebook

Instagram: Singing in Balance Instagram

The convention is organised by members of the Singing in Balance WRoCAH PhD network

PhD researchers: Dana Greaves, Bruna Martins, Emily Cooper 

Academic staff: Helena Daffern, Freya Bailes & Renee Timmers 

Practitioners: Kate Wareham, Emma Baylin, Mir Jansen