Schools and young people
There are many different ways you can work with schoolchildren. The Wellcome Trust commissioned a report examining the approaches taken by Wellcome Trust-funded research centres when working with schools [PDF 188KB], and this report has informed the production of a set of guidelines for research centres who want to improve their work with schools.
- Full guidelines [PDF 160KB]
- One-page summary guidelines [PDF 40KB]
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Ambassadors (STEM Ambassadors) is a national scheme run by STEMNET and open to all researchers, which provides free training and support to visit a school.
Your university or institute may also run activities with local schools. To learn more about what is going on in your area, contact your university's outreach or public engagement officer.
The highly successful Café Scientifique concept has now made the transition to the classroom as Junior Café Scientifiques, engaging and inspiring pupils with science straight from the bench. In a Junior Café Scientifique, students can discuss contemporary issues in science and technology with working scientists in a relaxed, egalitarian atmosphere. The format is simple. Cafés take place during lunchtime or after school and outside the classroom - in a library, common room or café. A guest scientist speaks for 10-15 minutes to introduce the topic, and then the café is open for questions and debate.
The talks are deliberately uncomplicated and low-tech. The speakers are volunteers from local universities and industry, and they range from professors to young PhD students, depending on the topic and their expertise.
Café organisers are always keen to hear from new speakers - could you help? For full information, please see the Junior Café Scientifique website. Or if you'd like to take part in this project, register your interest.
For further support and advice on setting up projects with young people, please contact us.
Research Councils UK have produced a guide to working with schools.
The National STEM Centre e-Library contains hundreds of teaching resources that you can use for your own projects.