Page last updated on 16th March 2026

The next Albert Einstein? School kids dream of becoming scientists

Do you remember what career you dreamed of having when you were a child? A dancer, actor or a firefighter? Or even a scientist? Research conducted on behalf of Smart Energy GB* suggests that the coronavirus pandemic has changed the career goals of some children. Now, more school children are dreaming of becoming scientists to solve global issues.

How has the pandemic changed children’s career goals?

The coronavirus pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives - From going to school or work, to seeing loved ones, our lives have changed in so many ways. Following months of hearing about the virus in virtual classrooms and daily press briefings from Government scientists, even our own children’s dreams and aspirations for their future have changed too.

The majority of children are now more likely to view scientists as role models. In fact, a fifth (22%) of children say they wish they could live a day in the life of Albert Einstein and as many (73%) have heard of Professor Chris Whitty as they have Professor Brian Cox. And the work that these scientists have been doing throughout the pandemic has even inspired new career goals.

Almost half of children say that the pandemic has made them more interested in pursuing a career in science, technology and innovation:

Graph showing the results from research conducted on behalf of Smart Energy GB, shows that out of all the children we interviewed, 44% wish to become Scientists when they grow up. Followed by: 42% for Engineers, 40% for Social Media Influencers, 36% for Teachers, 35% for Doctors and 27% for Reality TV Star.

*The research was conducted by One Poll between the 21 - 28 May 2021, surveying a nationally representative sample of 2000 11-16 year-old children

But why do children want to become scientists?

Mother and child sitting down with a happy birthday sign

How children want to change the world

Every aspect of our lives has been and continues to be influenced by science and new inventions, from Albert Einstein and Marie Curie to Jennifer Doudna and Professor Chris Whitty. We have seen how scientists working on the coronavirus vaccines have potentially saved the lives of millions across the world. Becoming a scientist can help you work on projects that make a real difference.

And now children are dreaming about inventing something that could change the world for the better. Given the opportunity to invent something new, most children jumped at the chance to prioritise healthcare and the environment - with solving the climate crisis leading the way:

57% would love to invent a product to solve the climate crisis
39% would most like to discover a way for people with serious illnesses to live longer
30% want to find a new method to ensure everyone can breathe clean air free from pollution

And this was reflected in the specific invention’s children wanted to discover:

Infographic displaying the six inventions that school children would want to develop to help the world. Including: A cure for cancer, a medicine for immortality and everlasting youth, a way to instantly recycle materials such as plastic, a way to create food for third world countries out of thin air, a way to clean the ocean floors of waste and a method to use more clean and renewable energy.

Smart meters and innovation

The good news is that the technology we are working with now will help the next generation to be more climate-friendly, and help the environment while living their everyday lives. And smart meters are just one of these new technologies…

Smart meters are helping to upgrade Britain’s energy infrastructure into a more reliable and cleaner smart energy system. They will help the smart energy system use more renewable energy, such as wind, solar and hydro power. This will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. And ultimately help to reduce our carbon footprint as a nation.

Einstein loves wind:

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: By getting a smart meter you’re helping modernise Britain’s energy system.

So it can use more renewable energy. Like wind power.

I love wiiind!

Join the energy revolution. Get a smart meter.

How smart meters helped My-Yen become more environmentally conscious

My-Yen lives in Cardiff with her family. She's environmentally conscious and it was a logical next step for her to get a smart meter installed.

Now, not only she's got better overview over her energy use, My-Yen thinks that if more people in Britain were to get a smart meter installed, it would definitely help tackle climate change:

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: My name is My-Yen Butler I live in Cardiff currently with my husband and my small child. One of my favourite features of the in-home display on the smart meter is knowing exactly how much energy and money we’re using, because it’s so exact. So, for example, the kettle could be on for a few seconds and I can see exactly how much energy consumption it’s used.

For us it was a logical next step to get a smart meter because it ensured that we could bring our energy use down and help tackle climate change. It’s definitely had a positive effect because I know what I need to do in terms of saving energy in our household, and also saving money, and just knowing that there are things on in the house that don’t need to be.

I think that if more people in Great Britain were to get a smart meter it would definitely help to tackle climate change because it just gives a better insight into what energy you are using and how you can bring energy use down when you don’t actually need to use it.

It’s really important for me and my family to make these changes now. By having a smart meter I feel like it’s just a small step that we’ve made to help future generations to come, in particular, my son’s generation.

Experiments to entertain your future scientists

For the children now dreaming about a career in science, we’ve gathered some thought-provoking science experiments to try at home. There may be some trial and error involved to make the experiments a success, but this will help your future scientists learn and grow – after all, inventing world changing technology will take some persistence!

And the added bonus? These activities use little or no household electricity or gas! If you are keeping a careful eye on your energy usage, getting a smart meter can help you monitor it in near-real time, in pounds and pence.

Remember: choose an activity that’s age-appropriate and do supervise your children whilst they strut their science stuff, some of these experiments need adult supervision and help.

Click the link below to begin experimenting...

Seven smart science experiments to try out at home this summer

How can you get a smart meter?

Join the millions of Brits who are already helping to create a more environmentally friendly country.

Simply type your energy supplier into the box below and we'll connect you.

Want to find out more?

How smart meters can help you reduce your carbon footprint - we all want to live in a world with cleaner air and cleaner energy. But what’s all that got to do with smart meters?
How to use a smart meter to save money - with a smart meter and accompanying in-home display, you can be more aware of your energy usage.
Powering the future with electric vehicles - whether your future self plans to be zipping about in a Nissan Leaf or cruising around in a Tesla, a smart energy system is a key part of this.

Personality rights of ALBERT EINSTEIN are used with permission of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Represented exclusively by BEN Group, INC.