ICE CityZen Pollution Control Challenge
A fun single-session activity for students aged 14-16 that combines career inspiration, problem-solving and environmental awareness.
The Neon quality mark shows this activity has been reviewed and meets Neon's quality standards.
Overview
The ICE’s newest competition, the ICE CityZen Pollution Control Challenge, offers the chance to discover what it’s like to be a civil engineer.
The short and engaging online activity fits easily into class or extra-curricular time and features a unique civil engineering game based on the ICE’s double award-winning CityZen.
The game has been designed to improve understanding of environmental issues. Students are faced with a difficult-to-solve environmental issue with many possible solutions. The 3D game map contains evidence-rich clues which students can use to solve the problem scientifically.
Content in the game supports learning in curriculums for geography, humanities, sciences, citizenship, geology and engineering.
The ICE CityZen Pollution Control Challenge is free to enter and all students who participate receive certificates. Winning teams are chosen from the top scorers and win £50 vouchers and an invitation to a VIP civil engineering visit or tour in their area (subject to availability).
Supporting resources include a teacher guide, classroom presentation, student worksheets and more.
The game (a single session) can be completed anytime between the start of the autumn term and the closing date 18 December 2026.
Details
- School subject
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- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Curriculum links
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- Biology: Material cycles and energy
- Physics: Energy
- Engineering
- Sciences - Planet earth: Energy sources and sustainability
- Sciences - Planet earth
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering
- Physics: Energy transfer
- Design thinking and engineering: Engineering
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The environment and human influences
- Sciences - Forces and energy
- Technology & design - Design
- Group size
- Whole class
- Participation level
- Hands-on
- Duration
- 1 to 2 hours
- Dates
- 1 September 2026 – 18 December 2026
- Cost
- Free
- Location
- Online
Learning outcomes
- Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
- Attainment and progress
- Develop engineering employability skills
- Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
- Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
Frameworks
Gatsby benchmarks
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
- 3 - Addressing the needs of each pupil
- 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
EqualEx
- Introduce and Inspire
Essential skills
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
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Enrichment framework
- 5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer
- 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
