With a DPhil in chemistry, a PGCE in science and a PhD in education with a focus on how teachers appreciate how science works, my dedication to science and science education is obvious. Research into attitudes to science, and scientific identity, self-efficacy and resilience, is steadily homing in on the urgency of effective education for environmental sustainability. I continue to investigate growth towards independent scientific futures in the broadest sense, through careers education and other formal and informal educational experiences, in students of all ages, but mainly those in secondary and tertiary education. I have been a STEM ambassador since 2007, and perform outreach tasks when time allows. I have recently led a research-based discussion with a U3A group, entitled ‘Young people and environmental voice’ – it is abundantly clear that young and old share a passion for caring for the planet.